The Scottish government has announced a three per cent fee increase paid to optometry practices delivering NHS-funded eye examinations in Scotland.
The fees, paid by the Scottish government to those carrying out examinations under the General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) contract, will increase from 1 April 2022. The increase will be backdated to include all GOS examinations undertaken from 1 April 2021.
The milestone announcement follows ongoing talks with the Scottish government, and marks the first major review of the Scottish GOS contract, which was introduced in 2006 and brought free eyecare to Scotland.
In addition to the fee increase, the Scottish government and Optometry Scotland are aiming to put in place a formal process for annual remuneration reviews.
David Quigley, chair of Optometry Scotland, said: “We welcome the announcement of a three per cent increase to GOS fees and look forward to establishing an annual review process. These are significant developments which acknowledge the excellent service provided by community eyecare colleagues across Scotland.
“We have campaigned for an increase and implementation of a sustainable funding model to safeguard and enhance the future of community optometry, and thanks to a strong working relationship and ongoing constructive dialogue with the Scottish government we are pleased to see this come to fruition.”
ABDO head of policy and public affairs, Debbie McGill, said ABDO welcomed the increase. “It shows the Scottish government’s continued commitment to deliver high quality primary eyecare,” she said – adding: “We congratulate Optometry Scotland on this successful negotiation, and will continue to work with them to achieve their objectives in developing primary eye health care services further.”
Association of Optometrists councillor, Kevin Wallace, commented: “Scotland set itself apart with a new delivery model for eyecare where all eye examinations, which include a sight test and eye health check, are free for patients. We’re pleased to see that this vital health provision has the recognition it deserves with an increase in funding.”
Scotland is the only UK nation that offers NHS-funded eye examinations that are free to patients as a universal provision.
Full details of the fee revisions have been published in a PCA released by the Scottish government’s Directorate of Primary Care. Read the letter in full here.