Optometrist questions GOS fee negotiating

Optometrist Ian White has renewed his calls for greater scrutiny of the GOS fee negotiation process.

It follows his letter to Optician (03.10.14) calling for a vote of no confidence in the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC). He suggested the vote take place at next week’s National Optical Conference in Birmingham, asking organisers LOCSU and the Optical Confederation to co-operate.

White’s request has been unsuccessful but he told Optician this week he would continue to challenge the system of GOS contract and fee negotiating by the OFNC. ‘I am realistic but the basic problem with the low fee is that eye examinations have become a loss leader,’ he said.