As a result of the successful lobbying campaign by the AOP and the other optical bodies the future of General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) has now been preserved. During debates on the Bill in Parliament, Health Ministers gave assurances that the budget for NHS sight tests would remain centrally negotiated and centrally funded.
Ministers also stated that the GOS budget would not be constrained by local budgets and that practitioners would continue to be entitled to a General Ophthalmic Services contract subject to national criteria and that patients would be able to choose the contractor of their choice. These commitments are important to ensure all patients have access to high quality eye care services close to their home, receive that care promptly and with the provider of their choice.
Part 4 chapter 2 of the Act set out the provisions relating to ophthalmic services.
