12 December 2025

FODO member update – 12 December

This week:

• NHS imposes real-terms cuts on GOS
• CPD payment window now open
• Understanding the upcoming Employment Rights Bill
• ICB rethinks decision to pause patient choice
• Royal College shares its views on medicines, refraction and reform
• Children's eye care survey
• GOC annual report
• Public supports compulsory eye checks for drivers
• FODO opening hours for the festive period
• At a glance
• Health policy news

NHS imposes real-terms cuts on GOS

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed it will impose yet more real cuts on NHS primary eyecare services in England. GOS1 fees will rise by just 2.5% to £24.13 for the 2025/26 financial year. The DHSC will freeze other payments and grants at 2024/25 levels. Members can read the OFNC response to the DHSC. The OFNC has also published FAQs for contractors with questions about the continued provision of NHS primary eye care services.

FODO members can email [email protected] with any questions about the OFNC. 

CPD payment window now open

Members can now submit requests for the £596 grant for CPD undertaken between 1 January and 31 December 2024. The claim window will run from 8 December 2025 to 31 March 2026. Submit your CPD claim. 

Understanding the upcoming Employment Rights Bill

The Employment Rights Bill, which is nearing the end of its journey through Parliament, will reshape UK employment law. Practice owners should prepare for several changes over the next two years, including changes to rules on sick pay, paternity pay, fire-and-rehire restrictions, and protection against unfair dismissal.
 
Read our guide on when the changes are likely to happen and how you can prepare. Practice owner members can also contact the FODO employment law and HR advisory service on 01244 688 422 or email [email protected]. 

ICB rethinks decision to pause patient choice

We reported last week that Cheshire and Merseyside ICB had paused patient choice for consultant-led cataract care, despite NHS procurement regulations preventing restriction of choice for these services. This week, the HSJ reports that the ICB has decided to 'backtrack' after facing potential legal action by ophthalmology providers. 

Royal College shares its views on medicines, refraction and reform

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has responded to the government consultation on increasing the medicines available to optometrists treating minor eye conditions. Its response supports most proposals but also shares its opinion on restricting the use and supply of pilocarpine and on the need for guidance or training on the use of other medicines, such as azithromycin, gentamicin, atropine, and homatropine.
 
The college has also decided to write to the care minister Stephen Kinnock and share its view on supporting legislative change to allow orthoptists to prescribe glasses in hospitals.
 
In a separate response to the 10 Year Workforce Plan in England, the college backed the need for more enhanced primary eye care services delivered by optometrists, stating these "services have a crucial role to play in managing low and suitable medium-risk patients and preventing unnecessary referrals into [the] ophthalmology service". It continues to showcase the Community Ophthalmic Link project in Gloucestershire. 

Children's eye care survey

Researchers from Teesside University and Aston University have developed a national survey to explore GOS contractors' and performers' views on providing eye care for children, including those under five. The study aims to understand current clinical practice, professional confidence, and barriers to delivering paediatric eye care within NHS-funded services. Take part now. 

GOC annual report

The GOC has published its annual report, explaining how it fulfilled its statutory obligations in the year to March 2025. It includes meeting all 18 of the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) for Health and Social Care's Standards of Good Regulation for the third consecutive year.

From 31 March 2025, the GOC regulated 18,725 optometrists, 6,805 DOs, 5,163 student optometrists and 1,268 student DOs. There were also 2,934 optical businesses registered with the GOC. Read more. 

Public supports compulsory eye checks for drivers

Research from The College of Optometrists and AOP shows that 7 in 10 adults in the UK think that drivers should have to provide evidence of a sight test when they apply for and renew their driving licences. In September, FODO joined other optical organisations in endorsing the proposal to introduce mandatory eye checks for drivers. Read more in Clarity. 

FODO opening hours for the festive period

A reminder that our operating hours for the Christmas and New Year period are:

•  25-26 December: Closed
• 1 January: Closed

Members who need support outside hours should email [email protected]. We will respond within 48 hours and provide a contact number if your query is urgent and requires a same-day response.
 
Please note: FODO news will be taking a short break, with 19 December the last newsletter in 2025. We will return on 9 January. 

At a glance

• The Scottish Optometry Awards honoured Drs Scott and Roisin Mackie with lifetime achievement awards. They said they were "humbled to get recognition from their peers and very proud to receive this award".
• DHSC has asked NICE to carry out a single technology appraisal of the Port Delivery System with ranibizumab for treating wet age-related macular degeneration [ID3983]. Organisations can now register to participate in a draft scope consultation exercise.
• Ophthalmology Science reports on a study that demonstrates Deep Learning models' potential "to improve glaucoma detection using OCT or fundus imaging". Read more
• University of Surrey researchers have created a virtual retina that enhances understanding of retinogenesis. Read more
• Review Education Group publishes new CE module on diagnosing diplopia for accurate assessment and management. Read more
• The submission deadline for the SightCare Awards 2026 is 12 January 2026. How to enter 
• SightCare CEO Emma Rawlings reflects on the past year and the year ahead. Read more

Health policy news

Primary care sector calls for support

Primary care representatives have published a joint statement calling for greater clarity on delivery and funding for specific primary care services.

OFNC, Community Pharmacy England, the British Dental Association and the NCHA have asked for more decisive action to support the services they offer, aligned with the government's commitment to shifting more care out of hospitals.
The statement asserts that primary care, which accounts for 75% of all NHS appointments, is under strain due to funding, workforce shortages, and a disproportionate focus on secondary care. Read more.

Other policy news

• Millions of patients are routinely enduring undignified care, with one in five patients being treated in hallways, offices and cupboards, The Guardian reported
• DHSC has declined to increase doctors' pay but has offered other concessions to try to avoid another strike next week, the BBC reports
• The HSJ reports on how millions of patients are still not given a choice of provider. This challenge has persisted across all specialities since the government introduced NHS patient choice in England.