OFNC on GOS support payments

We are aware that contractors across England are receiving various communications from NHS England area teams about the GOS support grants for practices that are open to provide essential care to patients, and that some contractors have already received payments in respect of their actual GOS claims for March. We have confirmed with NHS England today that the first support payments - which will top up GOS claims submitted for March to the value of average monthly GOS claims - are being paid in line with normal payment schedules, and that the calculations of average claims have been provided to PCSE this week. Contractors should therefore receive the March top-up payment in May, along with their April payment which will be the value of their average monthly GOS claims.

The OFNC reminds contractors in England that are open to provide essential care to ensure that their websites and any other information for patients, including phone messages, accurately reflect their open status (as set out in the OFNC FAQs updated on 18 April) to avoid any risk of confusion for patients or NHS England area teams.

Ends

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

Notes to editors

OFNC

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) forms part of the Optical Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) which is the national negotiating body for eye care in the UK and England with the Westminster Parliament, the Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England-NHS Improvement. It comprises the leaders of the UK representative bodies: ABDO, AOP, FODO and BMA (for OMPs) and works in partnerships with the College of Optometrists and the General Optical Council.