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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-general-ophthalmic-service-fees-and-optical-voucher-values-from-april-2022/letter-setting-out-general-ophthalmic-services-fees-from-april-2022

I am writing to notify you of:

the NHS sight test fee and NHS domiciliary fees from 1 April 2022

optical voucher values from 1 April 2022

the hospital eye service (HES) charges from 1 April 2022

continuing education and training payment for 2021, payable in 2022

grant payable to supervisors of pre-registration trainees from 1 April 2022

Please could you bring this information to the attention of all staff dealing with general ophthalmic services (GOS), the hospital eye service, optometrists and ophthalmic medical practitioners.

Following consultation with representatives of the professions, the Secretary of State has determined that the NHS sight test fee should be increased to £22.14.

For superannuation purposes please note that for ophthalmic medical practitioners the practice expense component of the sight test fee will be £5.62 from April 2021.

The fees payable to GOS contractors for NHS domiciliary visits will be £39.04 for the first and second patients seen at one visit and £9.77 for the third and subsequent patients.

Revised general ophthalmic services contracts (payments) directions are attached which apply from 1 April 2022.

Please pay suppliers the increased voucher values in respect of all vouchers presented by patients on or after 1 April 2022.

Please note that the statutory instrument (SI) increasing the value of vouchers and supplements has been laid and is available under SI number 221 (2022) for those of you who wish to hold a copy. A copy is available here: The National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.

Details of the new optical voucher values and supplements are in Annex A.

From 1 April 2022 the hospital eye service maximum charges will be:

The ‘NHS (charges for optical appliances) directions 2022’ are attached.

The payment for 2021, in respect of continuing education and training, undertaken by optometrists and ophthalmic medical practitioners, without another medical appointment (that is, who do no other remunerative work but the testing of sight), will increase to £596.

Details of how to make a claim during the claim window, which will run from 1 July to 1 November 2022, will follow.

From 1 April 2022 the allowance paid to supervisors of pre-registration trainees will increase to £3,837. Claims from trainers taking on pre-registration trainees on or after 1 April 2022 should be paid at this new rate.

Head of Dentistry and Eye Care Services

If only one of a pair of contact lenses is replaced the voucher value is £58.15. These provisions for contact lenses only apply to clinically necessary contact lenses prescribed by the HES or NHS Trust.

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

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