Verum writes: The battle to secure a realistic GOS fee was lost some time ago

I can hear the gnashing of teeth in optical circles as the news of a one percent increase in the NHS sight test fee was announced.  “What derisory fees we are paid”, I hear people say, “Surely our work is worth more and should be recognised” and “What on earth are our optical negotiation team playing at to only get £21.31 for a professionally conducted sight test?”

I’m sure these are all reasonable views, but we have to recognise that for England, unfortunately the battle to get a realistic fee was lost some time ago, probably when the fee was first set many years ago. It may be apocryphal, however I recall the story of the formation of the NHS and Government asking doctors what they should be paid. They suggested double what they really wanted and to their surprise it was accepted.  Something for us all to learn from.