Optometry Scotland accepts 4% GOS fee uplift

Optometry Scotland has accepted the Scottish Government’s proposed 4% increase in the General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) fee, Community Glaucoma Service and the pre-registration trainee optometrist supervisor grant for 2025–2026.

The increase is the fifth consecutive annual uplift and means that the GOS fee has risen almost 25% over the past five years.

The fee uplift will be applied from later in 2025 to all GOS services, including domiciliary visits. Payments will be backdated to April 2025.

The fee rise follows recommendations by the Doctors and Dentists Pay Review Body and is in line with increases provided to other primary care professions, including general practice and dentistry.

Optometry Scotland chair, Eilidh Thomson, welcomed the increase and paid tribute to the Scottish Government’s continuing recognition of the “vital role” that optometry plays in primary care.

“The 4% uplift reflects a continued commitment to our sector, and we are pleased to see equity with other primary care contractors, in line with what our members have advocated for,” she said.

She added that while the uplift is appreciated, further support will be needed as services shift from hospitals to community-based care.

“With rising costs for practices, brought about through National Insurance and National Minimum Wage increases, financial burdens on the profession remain a concern. Scotland is a world leader in universal eye care, and we can only continue to deliver more if we are resourced to do so,” Thomson said.

She acknowledged the contribution of Optometry Scotland members by arranging Member of the Scottish Parliament visits and supporting lobbying efforts.