Practice calls for claims reform

A West Sussex optometrist is challenging the methods used by the NHS counter fraud service while investigating his practice for alleged overcharging and is calling for a number of changes to the general ophthalmic services (GOS) claim system.

Dispensing optician Peter Armstrong's practice, Armstrong Opticians in Haywards Heath, fought a three-year battle with West Sussex Primary Care Trust after it accused the practice of overclaiming for GOS (News 14.06.09). Armstrong, who was awarded £9,307.06 for legal costs through a consent order, accused the PCT of a number of errors including letting unqualified staff make clinical judgments, pursuing aged and frail patients and unnecessarily wasting taxpayers' money.