Rakesh Kapoor explains what you need to do to carry on providing GOS services after the transitional period ends on July 31 2005.
In April 2005 a new Statutory Instrument (No 480) came into force affecting all opticians/optical practices providing General Ophthalmic Services in England only. The Health and Social Care Act 2001 paved the way for these changes to be made. The new regulations primarily govern how primary care trusts (PCTs) manage 'lists', but also the criteria for new registrants, disciplinary processes available and rules to manage 'mobile service' providers.
Similar arrangements have already been made or are being made to the list arrangements for the other three NHS primary care professions (doctors, pharmacists and dentists). Two of the most fundamental changes can be demonstrated, by the changes to registration on GOS 'lists' and the procedural requirements of counter-signing GOS forms.
GOS PROVIDERS LISTS
PCTs will hold two lists, the ophthalmic list (including those who take advantage of the 'grandfather' clause) and the supplementary list.
Ophthalmic lists of contractors
The registrant on this list must be one of the following:
In addition to this they must:
There is a new expanded application process, which results in PCTs asking more in-depth questions on career history and questions such as the command of the English language, before applicants can be entered on this list. Opticians on this list can work as an 'assistant' throughout England without the need to register on any other list.
Supplementary list
This list applies to GOC registered optometrists/OMPs who provide some GOS services but are not on the ophthalmic list. You cannot be on both lists. Also you can only be on one PCT supplementary list, but the list number provided can be used to work in other areas without the need to register. This brings optometry in line with other professions, reducing the paperwork required by the previous set-up. The rules also allow the PCT to remove a registrant if they have not provided GOS in that area for more than six months. Opticians on any of these lists will be given a new GOS list number, for example 01-12345/5HI/SOL, where the constituent parts represent:
| 01-12345 | 5HI | SOL |
| GOC/GMC number | PCT organisational code, eg Hammersmith & Fulham PCT's code is 5HI | SOL or OL (supplementary list or ophthalmic list) |
Third way or grandfathering/front man list
A third way allows practices to continue providing GOS without the need to register with the GOC as a corporate body, which would require the practice to operate as a limited company with a registered optician as a director. This of course will have other implications.
This method allows an optometrist/OMP already on the ophthalmic list of their area PCT prior to March 31 to continue to provide GOS services. The practice makes a collateral arrangement with an employed optometrist or locum so they will benefit from receiving the GOS payment on trust for the employer.
The date for practices to apply for this has now passed, but most PCTs are still accepting this as an alternative way onto the register. While the DoH has indicated this is only a temporary method, it has not yet indicated the timespan before this arrangement will need to be reconsidered.
COUNTER-SIGNING OF FORMS
From July 31 2005, all GOS 1 forms (eye examination claims) will need to be signed by the practitioner who carried out the test and the new list number added. If the person is not the contractor, ie not the person on the ophthalmic list, it needs to be counter-signed by the contractor or an authorised counter signatory. This person can be a layperson, such as a practice manager. There is no need for this person to be professionally qualified. The PCT will need to be informed of who the authorised counter signatories will be.
TIMETABLE FOR CHANGE
March 31 2005: This was the final date (although most PCTs are still allowing applications through this method) of application for optometrist or ophthalmic bodies corporate to be included on an ophthalmic list and take advantage of grandfathering or the third way.
April 1 2005: The statute came into force and the transitional period started.
May 16 2005: All optometrists who are not on an ophthalmic list must have applied for inclusion into a supplementary list and may continue to provide GOS services until either they are fully accepted by the PCT (which must be completed by July 31).
July 31 2005: The transitional period ends. All submitted GOS 1 forms must be signed by the registered optometrist/OMP and then counter-signed by the 'contractor' who does not need to be a registered optician. The PCT will need names and signatures of these counter signatories.
References
1 DOH. Delivering Quality in Primary Care Trust management of practioners' lists. General ophthalmic service practioners. March 14 2005
Gateway reference: 4122.
2 Association of Optometrists. Primary Care Trusts in England, Ophthalmic Lists, an Easy Guide April 2005.
3 The National Health Services (General Ophthalmic Services Supplementary List) and (General Ophthalmic Services Amendment and Consequential amendment) Regulations 2005
Statutory Instrument 2005 No 480.
Click here to use our interactive tool for advice on what is required of you to provide GOS services. Alternatively, to view the complete table giving a guide to providing GOS services, click here.
Click here to redirect to the Department of Health web site where you can download a PDF describing the arrangements for PCTs to manage lists of practitioners who provide, assist in the provision of or perform GOS.