The Optical Fees Negotiation Committee (OFNC) is in discussion with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) regarding General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) fees and grants for 2026/27 – and is seeking urgent engagement with GOS contractors to inform these.
This year, in addition to the OFNC engaging with GOS contractors through the national representative bodies – ABDO, the Association of Optometrists, FODO (the Association for Eyecare Providers) and the British Medical Association – it will be working in partnership with the Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOCSU) to run a series of webinars in relation to fee discussions.
This comes in the light of sustained pressures on practices, including financial pressures, additional unfunded activity requested by commissioners and commissioner-led variations.
The OFNC will, therefore, be expanding its normal engagement process “to better understand the extent and impact of these issues and how these pressures may affect the goodwill that practices provide to the NHS”.
The webinars will also provide an opportunity for contractors to share views on what consequences may result should 2026/27 fees fail even to keep pace with inflation.
OFNC chair, Dr Peter Hampson, said: “Practices in England are facing mounting financial pressures, and the low GOS sight test fee is a significant contributing factor. I would encourage all GOS contractors to attend these engagement events.
“It is imperative that we hear about the impact of current pressures on optical practices, to ensure this is appropriately reflected in our discussions with DHSC.”
Further updates to come.