The long awaited release of the DVLA tender specification document for the next contract for the provision of eye tests has finally happened.
AIO is of the strong view that the next contract should be as inclusive as possible and not awarded to a single commercial interest. There are a number of reasons for this, and these are mainly patient and safety driven.
From a patient’s perspective why should they have to go to an optical practice where they may never have been before to have a DVLA test rather than to their tried and trusted practitioner. In addition to this, in rural areas the distances some patients have had to travel for a DVLA eye test are ridiculous. From a safety point of view, there is a strong argument that a patient’s existing practitioner is in the best place to look beyond the DVLA eye test and advise the patient on their suitability to drive.
AIO is not suggesting that the DVLA contract be awarded only to independents, but that a contract should be inclusive to all sectors, affording individual practices the option to sign up to the DVLA contract. What we are suggesting is that any contract that does not include independents is not acceptable and would fly directly in the face of government policy. This sets out tough new measures designed to level the playing field for smaller businesses bidding to win government contracts.
It is not practical for government to entertain individual tenders from independent practices across the UK for the DVLA contract, and AIO has therefore joined forces with a third party that is tendering for the contract on an inclusive basis so that all members will have the opportunity to participate in the DVLA contract if they wish to do so.
If you want to know more contact mike@aiovision.org or call 0800 1300 486.