Primary Care Trusts are being urged to ensure their procurement procedures are 'open and fair'.
The NHS Primary Care Commissioning (PCC) body said it had been contacted by the AOP regarding complaints from its members about a particular PCT. The optical body claimed the PCT had failed to adhere to good procurement practice when commissioning a local enhanced eye care service and awarding contracts under the scheme.
The PCC reminded PCTs on its website that the process should 'not prejudice' practitioners in any particular area.