The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) is the recognised negotiating body for General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) fees and grants for community optometry.  Its members include the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, the Association of Optometrists, the British Medical Association and the Federation of Opticians.

The membership of OFNC is Mike George (Optometrist, AOP – Chair OFNC), Henrietta Alderman (AOP, CEO), Richard Edwards (Optometrist, FODO), Claire Slade (Optometrist, FODO), Trevor Warburton (Optometrist, AOP), Gordon Illet (AOP), Simon Longstaff (OMP, BMA), John Maingay (BMA), Professor Nagasumbramanian (OMP, BMA), Sir Anthony Garrett (CEO, ABDO), David Hewlett (CEO, FODO). Secretary: Ann Blackmore (FODO).

Each negotiating year starts with a strategy Away Day. The OFNC held their most recent strategy away day in August 2016.  OFNC is always grateful to receive comments, advice and perspectives from Optical Confederation members and can be contacted via Ann@fodo.com

Press Statements

• OFNC response to sight test fee freeze for 2018/19
• OFNC response to sight test fee freeze for 2017/18
• OFNC response to sight test fee freeze for 2016/17

OFNC Correspondence

• OFNC letter to the Department of Health regarding voucher values - January 2016
• OFNC response to draft regulations amending the Optical Charges and Payments regulations in relation to special facial characteristics supplements.

OFNC correspondence regarding IT investment

• OFNC letter to the Department of Health to follow up on the IT bid
• OFNC second-follow up letter to the Department of Health regarding the IT bid 

Papers relating to the 2017-18 negotiating round to set the fees for 2018-19 are available to download as follows:

• OFNC bid cover letter to the Department of Health and Social Care
• OFNC bid to the Department of Health and Social Care
• Letter from the Department of Health and Social Care confirming fee for 2018/19 - 20 March 2018
• OFNC response to the Department of Health and Social Care's letter of 20 March - 23 March 2018

Papers relating to the 2016-17 negotiating round to set the fees for 2017-18 are available to download as follows:

• Minutes of the OFNC and NHS England meeting on 17th October 2016
• OFNC bid letter to Department of Health - 8th November 2016
• Letter from Department of Health confirming fee for 2017/18 - 9th February 2017
• Department of Health response to OFNC letter - 8th March 
• OFNC response to Department of Health letter of 9th February - 23rd March

Papers relating to the 2015-16 negotiating round to set the fees for 2016-17 are available to download as follows:

• Minutes of the OFNC and NHS England meeting on 26th November 2015
• Letter from Department of Health confirming fee for 2016/17 - 11th March
• OFNC response to the Department of Health's letter of 11th March - 4th April

Papers relating to the 2014-15 negotiating round to set the fees for 2015-16 are available to download as follows:

• OFNC letter to NHS England on 26th January
• Minutes of OFNC and NHS England meeting on 23rd February
• OFNC follow up letter to NHS England on 17th April
• DH response on 24th June to OFNC letter on 17th April
• OFNC response on 7th July to NHS England letter on 24th June
• DH notification letter on 5th August

Papers relating to the 2013-14 negotiating round to set the fees for 2014-15 are available to download as follows:

• OFNC proposal to the Department of Health (DH)
• DH response to OFNC proposal on 18th April 2014
• OFNC response on 28th April 2014 to DH letter of 18th April 2014
• DH response on 9th May 2014 to OFNC letter of 28th April 2014
• OFNC response on 28th May 2014 to DH letter of 9th May 2014
• DH notification letter on 1st July 2014