N Ireland gets a promise of help to pay NIC increases

Health minister vows to help providers with NI increase

The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has acknowledged that increases in employers’ national insurance (NI) contributions will unfairly hit providers “with additional costs for reasons entirely outside their control”.

In response, health minister Mike Nesbitt has agreed to provide funding to help primary eye care providers with the increase in NI bills. The press release states that £1 million will be spent on General Ophthalmic Services (GOS), £2.5 million on dental services and £4 million on pharmacies.

Please note that this will only apply to GOS in Northern Ireland, and complete details have not as yet been been disclosed