Patient signatures to be required on GOS forms from 1 September

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that the temporary suspension of the requirement for patients to sign General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) forms will finish at the end of August.

The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) confirmed that this means patient signatures will be required on all GOS forms from Wednesday 1 September.

The OFNC, which acts as the national negotiating body for eye care in England, highlighted that patient signatures are being reintroduced for NHS dental and pharmacy patients from the same date.

The committee is continuing to urge the Government to extend the signature suspension for domiciliary patients, but the OFNC noted that there is no indication to date that this will be successful.

Practices are continuing to operate under the College of Optometrists amber phase guidance, which recommends rigorous infection prevention and control measures.