28 August 2020

FODO’s Friday roundup – sector news - 28 August

This week's news

1.  GOC applies temporary changes to Optometry Handbook and Supervision policy
2.  Phase 3a delivery of domiciliary eyecare begins in Northern Ireland
3.  Scotland CET - Grants and deadlines
4.  Working with primary eye care is a winning strategy
5.  RNIB Scotland encourages people to get their eyes tested
6.  Chancellor of the Exchequer opens new eye department in constituency
7.  Other sector news

1. GOC applies temporary changes to Optometry Handbook and Supervision policy

Since the Covid-19 pandemic struck, FODO has made it a priority to work with the General Optical Council (GOC), the College of Optometrists and the Optometric Schools Council to find a flexible approach for undergraduates and pre-registration optometrists whose training has been or will be disrupted by the pandemic. We welcome the GOC's announcement following consultation of temporary changes to its Accreditation and Quality Assurance Handbook ‘Routes to Registration in Optometry' (Optometry handbook). The key changes are:

• Stage 1 patient experience: clarity about how many patient episodes students must obtain to achieve ‘an appropriate breadth of patient experience' and the types of experience required
• Students who graduated in summer 2018 will be granted an extension to the Stage 1 Certificate of Clinical Competence until 31 December 2020
• Stage 2 patient experience: a 10% reduction in the total number of GOC stage 2 patient episodes students must achieve and removal of categorised patient episode numbers. Instead, providers must make sure, and demonstrate, that students gain an appropriate breadth of experience
• Supervision policy: non-GOC registrants may supervise students in their area of practice, provided they meet the GOC's supervision criteria.

With this approach, GOC intends to "enable clinical experience to be delivered in a safe and practical way and contribute to preparing students for the new world of practice brought about by the pandemic". The changes are temporary and apply from 1 September 2020 for the 2020/21 academic year only. 

Read the GOC's full statement and supporting documents.   

2. Phase 3a delivery of domiciliary eyecare begins in Northern Ireland

The HSC has written to all GOS contractors in Northern Ireland to confirm that Phase 3a of the strategic plan for primary care ophthalmic services during Covid-19 will start on 1 September.

Phase 3a allows registered domiciliary eyecare contractors to visit patients experiencing eye symptoms in the patient's home on a needs-led basis. You will not yet be permitted to provide domiciliary eyecare in nursing homes, residential care homes, day centres or hospital in-patient settings. Neither are routine reminders nor recalls for domiciliary care permitted at present for reasons set out in the full HSC letter.

A further review of fuller domiciliary eyecare provision is expected in the coming weeks. The HSC expects any acute needs for patients in care home settings to be referred to NI PEARS providers for virtual and remote case management. It expects provision will continue to be made for remote repairs and replacement of optical appliances.

The HSC urges optometrists to follow the operational guidance issued on 17 June closely.    

3. Scotland CET - Grants and deadlines

The Scottish Government issued a PCA on 27 August, reminding GOS practitioners about: 

• The legal requirement to satisfactorily complete NES mandatory training, including a 'First Port Of Call Reflective Account Of Practice' and an 'Introduction to Consent and Capacity in Optometric Practice in Scotland'. Both must be completed by 13 November 2020
• An increase of 3% in the allowance values for optometrists and OMPs undertaking appropriate CET. The allowances are £578 for CET undertaken from 1 January - 31 December 2019 and a higher allowance of £867 for appropriate independent prescriber CET undertaken in the same period
• How to apply for and claim the CET allowance by 30 November 2020. Practitioners on the second part of an NHS Board Ophthalmic List can now submit their own claim and be paid directly
• Optometrists and OMPs do not need to produce evidence of undertaking CET, but a claim may only be paid if you have maintained professional registration. Practitioner and Counter Fraud Services (P&CFS) may conduct a sample or selective check
• There is also a 3% increase in pre-registration optometrist supervisor's grant from 1 April 2020 to £3,728. 

We advise members in Scotland to read PCA(O)2020(13) in detail.    

4. Working with primary eye care is a winning strategy

Devesh Varma, an ophthalmologist and assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Toronto, recommends "asking optometrists to help [ophthalmologists] follow up with patients who have undergone cataract surgery".

In an article in Ophthalmology Times, Mr Varma says working collaboratively with optometrists in this way has helped manage an increasing and unsustainable caseload, and patients welcomed it. Professionally, he added: "The most important thing is that I have the time to dig into more complex cases." He said he was "no longer doing routine postoperative checks. I have time for my family and for myself, and I love my job again."

Read the full article.   

5. RNIB Scotland encourages people to get their eyes tested

RNIB Scotland has advised people not to ignore eye-check-ups as they can save sight. James Adams, director of RNIB Scotland, said: "The coronavirus has eclipsed other concerns in the public consciousness lately, but we still have to be aware of maintaining our wider health, including our eyes. That's why it's very important we still go for regular eye examinations and continue treatment that can save sight." The charity is encouraging people to access the eye care they need.

6. Chancellor of the Exchequer opens new eye department in constituency

Rishi Sunak has opened a new eye department at Friarage hospital in Northallerton where he is a local MP. It will treat up to 14,000 patients a year. The Chancellor hoped the new department would help reduce the distance local people had to travel for treatment. Read more.   

7. Other sector news

The College of Optometrists is recruiting a clinical adviser following the departure of Dr Sue Blakeney after 19 years. Learn more and apply.