Against the backdrop of spiraling inflation and energy cost crisis, the 2% increase in GOS fees and grants secured by the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) is maybe the most demoralising yet.
The reaction from the OFNC could have been the same as any other recent year. It was ‘acutely disappointed’ with the decision and noted how it had left the Department for Health and Social Care ‘in no doubt’ that the practitioners who had shown commitment to delivering health care throughout the pandemic would see the minuscule increase as a ‘blow’. Even the OFNC’s description of how practitioners should be feeling comes up short.
There was an interesting aspect in a draft proposal by NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) about optimisation of existing primary eye care contracts. Part of this optimisation included an exercise of sounding out existing providers about ‘increased capacity and activity.’ Given the current landscape, it’s a task that shouldn’t take too long.
It might just be me, but when it comes to optometry, NHS England seems particularly tone deaf and when you consider that even GPs are being served up raw deals on contracts, you have to wonder if that will ever change.
For things to improve in some way, however small, NHS England needs a reality check.
Practices throughout England are jettisoning NHS contracts at an increasing rate, and I haven’t seen anyone talk about how they regret doing it. People are voting with their feet, which is a good way start, but they’re in a minority and a full exit from NHS services isn’t realistic for many practices.
For voices to really be heard, a different tack is probably needed. We have seen from Ontario in recent months how members of its regional optometrist association withdrew from state-funded eye health services, a tactic that forced governors back to the negotiating table after a long-term stalemate. Others have found success in taking a more unified and liberal approach to ophthalmology referrals.
It’s not the end of the road just yet.