Test fee negotiators reject 10% package

This was the message from the profession's negotiators after the latest efforts to agree a new sight test fee and payments for CET ended without agreement.
The profession, represented by the Optical Fees Review Committee (OFRC), this week rejected the Department of Health's GOS sight test fee offer, labelling the proposed provision for CET funding by the Department of Health as 'inadequate'.
The increase should have been in place seven months ago in April 2003, but negotiations this time have included payments for CET expenses as continuing education is to become a mandatory requirement of registration.
The OFRC turned down a 10 per cent increase in the GOS fee over three years, despite the improvement being in line with payments to other healthcare professions.
Its objection was that the payments offered for education were 'wholly inadequate', and would not cover projected costs.
It added that optometry was not being treated equitably, as other professions were being offered more money. The OFRC want optical professionals to receive funding on the same basis as doctors and dentists, although the actual amount will differ.
As every practitioner will have to undertake the same amount of CET to continue registration, but does not carry out the same number of sight tests, CET monies will be made separately from GOS monies, to ensure equality.
But the elements are being negotiated as a package, so the current £16.72 fee will remain in place until the two sides can agree. When this occurs, the fee will be backdated to earlier this year.
The OFRC plans to write again to the Department soon to outline its objections, but no further meetings have been scheduled.
samantha.daltonrbi.co.uk