Moneo writes: New year, same old GOS

The start of a new year should always be a time for optimism. Admittedly there are still clouds upon us now and on the horizon from the Covid-19 pandemic, but those clouds should be a reason for diligent planning of the year ahead.

Last year saw a growing realisation, often brought about because of Covid-19, that the existing model of sight testing under an NHS GOS contract may no longer be the way of guaranteeing thorough and safe eye care in the UK. At the end of last year both the Association of Optometrists’ journal and the College of Optometrists’ Acuity journal ran articles featuring optometrists who had chosen to leave the NHS model of care behind. The reasons cited for this move included the desire to move away from a reliance on retail sales, and the major desire to be able to offer a far more thorough comprehensive level of eye care to patients.