General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) contract management
We are facilitating Contract Management applications, terminations and variations for contractors based in England to help standardise the processes involved in applying for a GOS contract. If you are an existing GOS contractor, you do not need to reapply.
The information on this page is currently only relevant to ophthalmic contractors based in England. You can use this page if you need to:
- apply for a contract
- terminate your contract
- apply for a contract variation
EMAIL: for GOS contract new applications, variations, and
terminations pao-cm@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
Changes to GOS regulations
16 October 2023
Ali Sparke, Director of Optometry NHS England, in a letter to all GOS Contractors on 3 July 2023 set out proposed regulatory changes which have now been laid before parliament and were confirmed on 20 July 2023.
Full details of the changes can be found HERE
Optometry Update
02 August 2023
Optometry Update – for General Ophthalmic Services (GOS)
contract holders
An update on key developments affecting the General
Ophthalmic Services (GOS) regulations and service provision.
GOS Contract Variation
Action required for Change of Practice Location
and/or re-refurbishment:
Practice Address Change
If the address changes but all the other aspects remain the same (what is considered as relocation), it will be necessary to arrange a practice visit and a contract variation. If the visit was unsuccessful, then any fees from NHS worked carried out in the intervening period would need to be repaid
Practice Refurbishment
Refurbishment will require a practice visit and if unsuccessful, then any fees earned from NHS work in the interim would again need to be repaid but there is no need for a contract variation
Body Corporate Director Change
If the contract is for a body corporate (Ltd or limited liability), then director changes need to be done via a written letter of intent signed by all current directors and section B of the body corporate application as well as the bank mandate signatories/GOS signatories. Once the checks are carried out to ensure that new director is suitable to hold the contract, a new contract will be required. If the bank account changes as part of the director change, then it too will trigger the need for a new contract.
If all directors change a new contract will be required. For any change of director, contractors will need to complete several bits of paperwork which will vary according to the nature of the change. The resultant action will either be a new contract, including practice visit etc. or an update to the details on the existing contract.
Mrs Rupal Lovell-Patel – Chair of the East Anglia Local Eye Health Network and Optometry Professional Adviser comments:
Unfortunately, we do not have simple answers but suggest that contractors contact the Primary Care Contracting Team on england.optometryeast@nhs.net with their questions who will try to answer them as best as they can. We tend to discuss queries which are not straightforward at team meetings and consult the policies/guidelines on how best to deal them. We want to be fair to everyone so if we set a precedent, we will try and do the same for the next case which has the same circumstances.
For further information contact Rupal.lovell-patel@nhs.net
If the visit was unsuccessful, then any fees from NHS worked carried out in the intervening period would need to be repaid
If the visit was unsuccessful, then any fees from NHS worked carried out in the intervening period would need to be repaid
If the visit was unsuccessful, then any fees from NHS worked carried out in the intervening period would need to be repaid