01 April 2020

Member alert: GOS arrangements UK

At FODO we remain open seven days a week to support members through the Covid-19 crisis. If you have any questions or need any help, get in touch in the usual way by emailing [email protected] or calling us on 020 7298 5151. 

In this alert, we share updates on GOS financial support and guidance through the Covid-19 crisis, covering: 

• England 
• Northern Ireland 
• Scotland 
• Wales 
• College of Optometrists update - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 
• Message from the Managing Director       

England 

The Optical Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) has confirmed today that NHS England has announced a new financial support package for primary eye care providers. The OFNC said: 

• “The new package will include support payments for practices which continue to provide essential care for patients during the COVID-19 crisis. These practices will be expected to follow guidance from the General Optical Council and the optical sector bodies on how to provide this care safely. The support payments will be based on average past General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) payments between March 2019 and February 2020.” 

Read the full OFNC statement.

Members providing eye care services in England should read NHS England’s letter. 

The OFNC (ABDO, AOP, FODO and BMA) will work with NHS England to clarify these arrangements as needed throughout the pandemic. If you have any questions about the package please email us at [email protected].       

Northern Ireland 

The Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) confirmed on 23 March that all routine GOS would be suspended and that it would work to maintain essential and urgent primary eye care services. 

Paul Montgomery, the Director of General Healthcare Policy, set out the financial support arrangements for ophthalmic contractors operating in Northern Ireland (NI) in respect of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on 25 March. 

Read Covid-19: financial support to ophthalmic contractor. 

The HSC BSO also has a webpage for primary eye care where regular updates are posted. Learn more.   

Scotland 

The latest GOS Covid-19 update was published on 25 March in PCA(0)(2020)05. It sets out:

• The provision of emergency or essential community eye care 
• Social distancing measures 
• Clarification of aspects of the financial support measures introduced in PCA(O)2020(4) 
• An update on emergency dispensing. 

Members providing eye care services in Scotland should read PCA (0)(2020)05. 

Optometry Scotland has also published FAQs. Learn more.           

Wales 

The Welsh government provided early confirmation of support for GOS providers on 17 March and published the detail on financial support on 27 March. The current guidance covers: 

• Provision of the Eye Health Examination Wales emergency, and General Ophthalmic Services essential community eye care during the additional Covid-19 social distancing measures 
• Financial support for optometry practices providing Eye Health Examination Wales emergency, and GOS essential community eye care. 

Members providing eye care services in Wales should read the March 27 guidance in full.       

College of Optometrists update – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

The College of Optometrists and Royal College of Ophthalmologists have updated their guidance about PPE at slit lamps to 

• Standard surgical face masks should be worn when examining patients at the slit lamp. Gowns and gloves are not recommended 
• Plastic breath shields attached to slit lamps provide some protection but must be disinfected between patients 
• Speaking at the slit lamp should be avoided. 

The College of Optometrists has also updated its guidance on how to adapt practice during the Covid-19 pandemic in order to reduce risk whilst meeting essential and urgent eye care needs. We recommend all members read the full guidance note. 

In the meantime the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine at Oxford University is carrying out a rapid review of the evidence for PPE in primary care during the pandemic (expected this week/c 31 March) and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (of which the College of Optometrists is part) is urgently developing definitive guidance on PPE usage across the whole of NHS care (expected this week or next). 

As soon as either of these emerges and guidance changes, we will inform members by a specific Member Alert. 

We are currently working with sector partners on PPE supply arrangements. If you have any questions about this please get in touch in the usual way, email [email protected] or call 020 7298 5151.           

Message to all FODO members from Managing Director Harjit Sandhu 

“We have been working non-stop on your behalf since this crisis began and will continue to do so. If we could be doing anything more to support you, please contact me or the FODO executive team directly by emailing: 

[email protected] 
[email protected] 
[email protected] 

“We are here to help every single member every day, so do not hesitate to get in touch at any time. We will do whatever we can to assist you during this difficult time.”