GOS fees frozen for third year in succession

General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) fees have been frozen for the third consecutive year by the government, leaving the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) with a sense of ‘deep frustration and anger.’

The OFNC said despite strong evidence for an increase at a time when more generous settlements were being offered to NHS staff and contractors, the fee paid to optometrists for a sight test would remain at the 2015–2016 level of £21.31 for 2018–2019. NHS optical voucher values will also remain at the same level for the coming year and CET fees and grants for pre-registration optometrists see an increase of just 1%.