22 August 2022

Important: take part in the OFNC timing survey

Further to our update of 12 August, the OFNC has now opened its NHS sight test timing survey.

By completing this short survey you will help us demonstrate the time it takes to deliver an NHS funded sight test and support one strand of our negotiating strategy on behalf of all GOS contractors in England.

The sight test has grown in content and complexity as diagnostic equipment has improved and the patient mix has become older and more complex. NHS England (NHSE) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) collect data on patient episodes for other professions but have not done so for some time for primary eye care. It is therefore important to provide data on the current time taken to deliver an NHS sight test so that they better understand resource requirements for delivering GOS.

The survey will close at midnight on Monday 19 September.

• Access the survey here
• Access the guide to completing survey questions here

If possible, please also encourage local practice/business owners in your LOC to take part.

If you have any questions about the timing survey, please contact the lead at your membership body:

• ABDO [email protected]
• AOP    [email protected]
• FODO [email protected]

Note for Editors

The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) is the national negotiating body for eye care in 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.