The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) is seeking urgent feedback from General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) contractors in England as it negotiates 2026/27 fees and grants with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

The move follows sustained pressure on practices, including financial pressures, additional unfunded work requested by commissioners and commissioner-led variations, the OFNC said. In England, the NHS GOS sight-test fee paid to practices is £24.13 (NZ$55.00) per patient, backdated to 1 April 2025, according to gov.uk.

Expanding the OFNC’s usual engagement process will help the committee better understand the scale and impact of these issues, including how they may affect the goodwill practices provide to the NHS. OFNC chair Dr Peter Hampson said, “Practices in England are facing mounting financial pressures and 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.”

The OFNC will also work with the Local Optical Committee Support Unit to run a series of webinars on the fee discussions, which will allow contractors to share their views on the possible consequences if 2026/27 fees fail to keep pace with inflation.