08 May 2026
The national negotiating body for eye care in England will hold a series of webinars with General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) contractors to inform negotiations with the Department of Health and Social Care.
The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) is collaborating with the Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOCSU) to run the feedback sessions for Local Optical Committee (LOC) members.
A statement from the OFNC highlighted that the webinars will give contractors a chance to provide insight on the effect of sustained financial pressure on practice.
OFNC chair, Dr Peter Hampson, emphasised that practices in England are facing mounting financial pressure.
“The low GOS sight test fee is a significant contributing factor. I would encourage all GOS contractors to attend these engagement events. It is imperative that we hear about the impact of current pressures on optical practices, to ensure this is appropriately reflected in our discussions with DHSC,” he said.
The first online engagement session will take place as a Teams meeting on 19 May at 7pm, with joining details sent by LOCSU to LOCs.
Comments (3)
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Anonymous15 May 2026
Until the covid crisis I honestly didn’t know we had a committee that negotiated the fee . Are these people paid for their time? If they are then they are not fit for purpose. I have to provide premises, equipment, staff and indemnity for an NHS fee that in no way covers the cost of the service. The NHS contract is to correct refractive sight loss and refer every thing else to the HES . Let’s see how that works? In a recent NHS audit I was reprimanded for my failure to routinely record unremarkable external eye examinations , sadly no credit was given for the use of 3D OCT for the past 19 years , yes 19 years . I feel a full a very frank debate about the NHS fee long overdue.
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Anonymous11 May 2026
NHS optometry is finished.
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Anonymous10 May 2026
GOOD LUCK WITH THIS WASTE OF TIME !
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