Changes to fees and allowances for 2022/23 in Northern Ireland confirmed

The Northern Ireland Department of Health has confirmed in a letter to all Northern Ireland ophthalmic contractors that it is currently working to implement a 2022/23 pay uplift for General Ophthalmic Services, agreed by the former Minister Robin Swann MLA.

The Department has said that the uplift includes:

• A 4.5% increase on Health Service sight testing fees and domiciliary visiting fees, with effect from 1 April 2022
• A 4.5% increase to Continuing Education and Training (CET) allowances payable to optometrists and ophthalmic medical professionals in respect of training undertaken in the year to 31 December 2022
• A 2% increase on optical vouchers

The sight test fees and CET necessitate a legal Determination to be made by the Department and this will be completed “within the next few weeks”, with back payments being processed by the Business Services Organisation.

The voucher values requires an amendment to regulations, which is complicated by the absence of a Minister and a functioning Assembly.

Efforts are ongoing to make the regulations in the absence of a Minister using the powers contained within the Executive Formation Act (2022).

A further communication will follow when clarification has been received regarding the use of those powers.

Ends

For more information, please contact Serena Box, PR and Media Manager, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 020 7549 2040.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the UK. We support over 80% of practising optometrists, to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk