Simon Jones: Drop the guns

Another financial year, another freeze in General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) payments. It’s almost impressive how the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) delivers disappointing news with metronomic precision. If nothing else, the organisation is reliably ineffective. 

Should anyone be surprised, though? Well, yes, I think a little surprise is reasonable in this instance. For a number of years now, optics has ramped up the charm offensive to ministers in an effort to highlight the work of optometrists and their potential scope in helping relieve some of the pressure on the NHS. 

So, it’s not outlandish to expect some results, especially if you’re a fee-paying member of an association that’s acting on your behalf. Some will argue that political lobbying is part of a bigger picture for what’s further down the road, but GOS is part of the here and now.