GOS decisions confirmed at Health and Care Bill meeting

General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) in England will remain a national demand-led service under a nationally agreed contract and nationally negotiated fees and grants with no local variation.

The Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement confirmed the decision on December 10 at a meeting with optical bodies to discuss the Health and Care Bill.

A new structure will be introduced the bill, which will see Clinical Commissioning Groups replaced by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) who will manage GOS contracts, whole GOS will be without local variation.

The bill also introduces a commissioning framework for local services knows as the Provider Selection Regime, which optical bodies will work with alongside NHS to ensure ICBs understand the Primary Ophthalmic Service framework and ensure best use of extended services for the benefits of patients and the NHS.