11 December 2020

FODO’s Friday roundup of sector news – 11 December

• Online GOS claims - England update
• Changes to the Scottish DES programme
• UK Covid-19 isolation period shortened
• CORU elections
• College publishes its five-year plan
• GOC launches FtP Focus
• Other sector news
• Live consultations: have your say

Online GOS claims - England update

PCSE and NHSE-I have confirmed that the paused rollout of the online GOS claims system is now restarting. PCSE reports undertaking a review of the system and making service improvements over the last few months with the goal of improving overall performance. PCSE will issue more detailed information on how to resume making the move online to all contractors next week and latest timescales.

Changes to the Scottish DES programme

Dr Gregor Smith, Interim Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Scotland, has announced several changes to the Scottish Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) programme which will take effect from 1 January 2021. The Scottish Screening Committee (SSC), taking account of advice from the UK National Screening Committee (NSC), has made the following changes:

• Lower risk groups will be screened for diabetic retinopathy every two years rather than annually
• OCT will be included in the DES programme and will be delivered by DES teams instead of requiring referral to ophthalmology
• Introduction of a visual acuity threshold for OCT referral to ensure patients are prioritised according to clinical need.

Read the CMO's letter in full. 

UK Covid-19 isolation period shortened

The four UK chief medical officers (CMOs) have announced a reduction in the number of days that contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus have to self-isolate. People should self-isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days from Monday 14 December. Read today's press release.

CORU elections

CORU is holding elections to nominate three members to the Optical Registration Board, two optometrists and one dispensing optician.

FODO Ireland has excellent optometrist candidates standing for election - Christopher Burke and Michael Moore. See short election videos by Chris and Michael.

Paul Hersey was the only candidate for the dispensing optician vacancy and was elected automatically.

College publishes its five-year plan

The College of Optometrists has published its latest five-year strategy, 'Inspiring and supporting excellence, Our strategy 2020-25'. The College sets out how it will evolve its continuing professional development (CPD) and higher qualifications and lead on research into extended clinical practices as well as achieving Royal College status. Read the College's five-year plan. 

GOC launches FtP Focus

The GOC has launched a new e-bulletin which explains its fitness to practise (FtP) process. In the first FtP Focus, Dionne Spence, Director of Casework and Resolutions, describes how the GOC receives initial concerns about less than one per cent of registrants and sets out how:

• "The FtP process is not intended to punish you. Our objective is to ensure that where concerns about your ability to practise safely and effectively are raised, these are considered in a prompt, fair and transparent manner."

Read FtP Focus.

Other sector news

Moorfields Eye Hospital is taking part in a clinical trial to increase knowledge about the use of a laser treatment for glaucoma, known as Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT). The trial will compare standard SLT to a low energy SLT and annual retreatments with the usual regime of treatment. Learn more.

This week, College of Optometrists Clinical Adviser Daniel Hardiman-McCartney appeared on BBC Morning Live to raise awareness about accessing eye care. Listen to Daniel at 10 minutes 25 seconds

Janet Pooley, Optometric Adviser to the Scottish Government, has written 'Providing primary eyecare services during a global pandemic: the new normal' for eye news. Read the article.

England's National Optical Conference (NOC) took place online this year and was attended by over 350 participants, 100 more than last year's onsite event. Access recordings of the main session.

Live consultations: have your say

GOC Covid-19 statements

The GOC is consulting on how it can continue to support registrants and the sector throughout the pandemic. The consultation focuses on GOC Covid-19 statements issued during the pandemic "aimed at removing unnecessary regulatory barriers, clarifying certain areas of practice" to help meet patient needs safely. The consultation also asks if any Covid-19 statements "should become more general regulatory policy, independent of Covid-19, and in some cases whether changes should be made to our legislation". Learn more.

The consultation closes on 7 January, and members can send feedback to us at [email protected] before 2 January so we can include this in our response to the GOC.

Optical assistant modern apprenticeship at SCQF level 7: Consultation Framework 

Skills for Health is working closely with the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Skills Development Scotland and sector on developing a Certificate in Optical Practice Support at SCQF level 7, which is a Competence-Based Qualification (CBQ). It would like to hear your thoughts on the content and structure of the current proposals. 

Learn more here and send your feedback (in Word) to [email protected] by noon on Tuesday 22 December.

Other consultations

Members will also be aware from previous updates that the policy team is in the process of analysing other important consultations on your behalf, including NHS reforms in England, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Cataract Workforce Guidance and the PSA process for reviewing regulators.

Meanwhile, if you have any feedback or would like to be involved with any of this policy work, please get in touch at [email protected].