Do you need to free up some time away from accounts to spend it on doing something you enjoy much more? Do you want to access discounts that you can’t achieve as an independent? Do you spend more then £50 per month in terms of time/salary on accounts admin? Then our SPECS scheme could be for you! When you join Sight Care you can also opt to join our Buying Group, for an additional monthly administration charge.

How does it work?

You place your orders directly with suppliers in the normal way, quoting your SPECS account number, and goods are delivered directly to your practice; but invoiced to SightCare.  At the end of each calendar month, your total purchases with each supplier are reconciled.  You will be emailed an updated link to google drive around the 15^th of each month and from here you will be able to access digital versions of all your SPECS documents, including a detailed statement, to view and download if you wish.

Payment of the single total amount due will be collected by direct debit c29th of each month, to pay suppliers on your behalf

 

What does it cost?

Participants of the SPECS scheme are charged a monthly service fee which covers the cost of accounting and administration.  This is a flat-rate fee and does not depend on your level of expenditure.  The current service fee is £43+VAT per month for each practice account maintained.  If you have 2 or more practices but have all transactions charged to one account you will pay £51.60 gross per month; however, if you require each practice to be self-accounting, the fee will apply per practice.

 

If a practice with a turnover of £350K paid £42 per month (£504 per year) to participate in a buying group and was able to save just 5% on only HALF the products it buys, that would represent a saving of £6,730 based on a margin of 30%.

 

Who are preferred suppliers?

A list of established companies supplying contact lenses, spectacle frames, accessories and consumables, and prescription houses is enclosed.  This list is kept under review and applications from other organisations for supplier status are considered as they arise. You may of course purchase from other, non-listed suppliers, but such transactions cannot be processed through the SPECS Scheme.

 

What discounts are offered?

Discounts and incentives vary from supplier to supplier and across product ranges.

A summary outline of terms is attached.  More comprehensive information and applicable price lists are provided to participating practices.  Additionally, a number of companies pay a retrospective overrider based on overall annual group spend; this is rebated pro-rata to qualifying practices the following March.

 

How do I join?

Membership of the SPECS scheme is optional.  A formal agreement and direct debit mandate is enclosed; please complete and return this to us in hard copy if you wish to join.  We will provide you with a portfolio for contact information, terms and catalogues, and will notify suppliers on your behalf of your SPECS account number and start date.