The Government has today confirmed a freeze in NHS sight test fees in England for the second year in succession.
Optical vouchers for patients on low incomes and children who need spectacles, have also been frozen. Grants for CET and pre-registration optometrist training will increase by just 1%.
Optician initially reported the news on March 17 and understood that the Government had initially pushed for a 6% reduction in the fee. Cuts were anticipated for 2018, Optician understands.
Mike George, chair of the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) said the group was extremely disappointed with the Government’s decision.
‘We appreciate the financial challenges facing the NHS and we understand that all parts of the health sector need to play their part in addressing that challenge. But there is no way we can advise the profession to accept such an offer which is clearly not in their long-term interests and more importantly is not in the best interests of patients,’ said George.
Ann Blackmore, OFNC Secretary added: ‘Year on year our members are facing real increases in their costs – largely as a direct result of government policies and contract requirements – which the Government refuses to recognise.
‘On top of that they have been expected to cope with the administrative and financial chaos resulting from the incompetence of Capita and NHS England in delivering primary care support services. We will be looking now to government to provide compensation to the sector for this fiasco as a matter of urgency.
‘It is to our members’ credit that they have continued to provide a full range of services to patients across the country despite these challenges – but this will become increasingly hard to do. The real terms cut in voucher values will be particularly hard on many patients.’
