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General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) contract management

Our response times are currently slower than usual

We’re currently experiencing an unprecedented number of contractual requests, so our response times may be slower than usual. We apologise for any inconvenience.

We'll write to you confirming we've started to process your case within 10 weeks of receiving your initial request. Please take this extra time into account when submitting your request. To help speed up processing make sure you attach the relevant forms to your application.

We’re working hard to reduce our response time as quickly as we can and appreciate your patience.

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 

If you are a GOC registrant in England, you can gain one non-interactive CPD point by visiting our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for GOC registrants page and reading the guidance on how to apply for a GOS contract in England (C-103224).

General information

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.

You can find out more information about our services in our briefing document:

Briefing document for contractors in England (Word: 68KB)

We have collaborated with all regions to ensure that contractors are well supported throughout the application process. The following document has been produced:

GOS Contract Application Process and Declaration form (Word: 50KB)

Complete the form and submit it to pao-cm@nhsbsa.nhs.uk alongside:

  • your new GOS contract application form
  • any supporting evidence

You can also read our guidance for applicants (Word: 309KB) document and look at examples of completed forms under each relevant business section.

Apply for your GOS contract 

Dispensing-only Practices

If you are applying to become a dispensing-only practice, download the Dispensing-Only Practice Form (Word: 237KB) and the bank mandate form (Word:39KB).

Complete the forms and return them to pao-cm@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.

If you need help to complete this form, look at the completed Dispensing-Only Practice Form example (Word: 95KB) for guidance.

Terminate your GOS contract

Under the terms of the GOS contract, you can request to terminate your contract. 

Your contract will be terminated 3 months after you serve notice, or at a mutually agreed date with your regional team.

If you are based in England and want to terminate your contract, download the termination form (Word: 246KB).

Complete the form and send it to pao-cm@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

If you need help to complete this form, look at the completed termination form example (Word: 246KB) for guidance.  

Contract variations

We are processing the following contract variations for all regions participating in our POC: 

  • change in GOS hours 
  • relocations - mandatory 
  • change of address - domiciliary practice 
  • adding a new borough for a domiciliary provider 
  • changes in company name
  • change from an individual to a partnership 
  • partner joining or leaving a partnership (not to or from an individual) 
  • change from a partnership to an individual 
  • addition or removal of directors to a body corporate 
  • change of trading name 
  • change of registered office 
  • change of bank account

Note that if the company number has changed, this will be treated as a new application. This is instead of a contract variation. 

If you want to make any changes listed above, email pao-cm@nhsbsa.nhs.uk with:

  • the change(s) you want to make
  • supporting information (for example, if it’s a change in GOS opening hours, provide us with the old opening hours as well as the opening hours you want to change to)
  • your current trading address
  • your contact number

To deliver ophthalmic services at a different address, you need to download and complete the Annex 8.13: Mandatory services variation to provide ophthalmic services at a different premises form (Word: 35.8KB). Please be advised that a virtual site visit will be required and prior to this being scheduled, evidence will be requested in line with a new GOS contract application. 

You should return the form to pao-cm@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

If you need help completing this form, view Completed Example Annex 8.13 to provide ophthalmic services at different premises form (Word: 36KB)

For any 'additional premises' requests or 'changes to or from a body corporate', these will be treated as a new application. This is instead of a contract variation.