Optometry Scotland members accept 6% GOS fee increase

Scottish optometrists will receive a 6% increase in the General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) fee.

Following a consultation, Optometry Scotland members voted to accept the proposed fee increase. The new rate will be implemented as standard from 1 December, and backdated to 1 April.

The increase is the fourth consecutive uplift since 2021 and is in alignment with recommendations made by the Doctors and Dentists Pay Review Body.

Optometry Scotland chair, Eilidh Thomson, highlighted that members were “overwhelmingly in favour” of accepting the proposed increase.

She shared that members felt encouraged by the Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting community health services despite financial constraints.

“This increase will allow us to continue offering universal access to NHS funded eye exams, which ultimately reduces the burden on our precious NHS resources,” she said.

Edinburgh optometrist, Ian Cameron, highlighted that the uplift in the GOS fee is “great news.”

“When you look at other sectors and industries such rises cannot be taken for granted. These increases are hard-fought and credit goes to Optometry Scotland for keeping the profession on the Government agenda,” he said.

Cameron, who is managing director of Cameron Optometry, highlighted that the uplift gives him more confidence to invest in his team and practice.

“I’m confident this rising tide of funding will float all Scottish boats a little higher, which can only be a good thing for the eye health of our country,” he emphasised.

Optometrist and director of Peter Ivins Eye Care in Bearsden, Craig McArthur, highlighted that the leadership team at Optometry Scotland has done “excellent work” illustrating the value of optometrists to the public and the Scottish health service.

He added that cumulative increases in the GOS fee have combined with a range of other factors to strengthen the profession within Scotland.

These factors include high uptake of independent prescribing (IP) qualifications among Scottish optometrists, the expansion of the NESGAT qualification to enable community glaucoma management and the introduction of Glasgow Caledonian University’s new MOptom (IP) course.

“The Scottish optometry landscape looks, in my opinion, to be amongst the best in Europe,” McArthur highlighted.