Chris Bennett: Optical fees but little negotiation on the outcome

If you look up the definition of the word negotiate in the dictionary it will say something along the lines of talking to others to reach an agreement. Members of the Optical Fees Negotiating Committee must be wondering if it’s time for a name change.

News this week that the Department of Health has announced across-the-board one per cent increases for services provided under the General Ophthalmic Services contract and CET grant follows the similar single digit increase in voucher values announced in the Spring.

It’s a worthwhile exercise to follow the trail of correspondence between the OFNC and the Department of Health. The OFNC put up reasoned arguments for increases which discussed the disconnect between the real cost of eye care and the fee paid, it discussed the savings high street optometry presented if included in primary care and it shared the findings of the call to action on improving eye health and preventing sight loss.