NHS England ends financial pandemic support

NHS England has said it will not provide any further financial support to optical practices because of stable general ophthalmic services (GOS) activity so far this year.

It added that the additional support offered in autumn 2020 to some practices in areas of deprivation was taken up by fewer than 200 practices, which suggested limited demand for help.

The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) has rejected NHS England’s arguments and said NHS England had showed ‘a lack of regard’ for practices that need help during the pandemic.

‘We reject both these arguments and we know the profession will be aggrieved at this decision,’ the OFNC said in a statement.