Optometrists, opticians and optical businesses are now allowed to use the NHS logo following discussions between the Optical Fees Negotiating Committee, NHS England and the Department of Health.
The right to use the logo is immediate and allows eyecare to enjoy this benefit which is already available to other primary care providers. Guidance for the use of the logo has been agreed between The Optical Confederation and NHS England and this will be displayed on NHS England’s website shortly.
Optical Confederation Chair Chris Hunt said it was only right that optical providers should have the right to use the logo. “I am delighted that NHS England and the Department of Health have acknowledged this. More importantly, this move will help people who need eye care to understand that community optical practices are part of the NHS. This is a great victory for joint working across optics and a good omen for our expanding role in delivering more NHS services in the community.”
Mike George, Chair of the ONFC, said: “It has been a real group effort across optics to get this dispensation to use the NHS logo. We also thank our colleagues from pharmacy, and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), for allowing us to draw heavily on their guidance. Many in optics have felt we should have been allowed the use of the logo for some time but it is one thing saying this and quite another achieving this change.”