03 December 2021

FODO member update - 3 December

This week:

• Covid and IPC update
• Abuse and violence across the NHS
• Free CET and CPD resources
• New GOC website
• Medical devices
• Drivers unaware of law, risk fines and bans reports College
• Automated grading in diabetic eye screening
• NAO reports on NHS backlogs and waiting times
• National clinical director for eye care could be on horizon
• New shadow health secretary
• Questions in parliament
• Other sector news

Covid and IPC update

Earlier this week, we issued an IPC update on guidance for health and care settings in the UK. In addition, the Scottish government has also issued an update. This guidance is intended for all those involved in health and care provision, including community optometry.
 
The NHS flu vaccination is free for primary care sector staff this year, including optometrists, dispensing opticians and support staff. FODO encourages all members working in primary care settings to have all recommended vaccinations, unless medically exempt, in line with College of Optometrists and ABDO guidance.
 
As the Prime Minister confirmed at a press conference about the UK response to the Omicron variant on 30 November, the government is extending the Covid-19 booster programme to all adults over 18 and the NHS is increasing capacity to meet this need. 

Abuse and violence across the NHS

NHS England has published a range of posters and social media materials for use in primary care to encourage patients to treat NHS employees respectfully. It follows an increase in abuse and some violence towards primary care teams, which is unacceptable. The most serious event happened in September when staff at a GP practice in Manchester had to be hospitalised.
 
FODO takes part in primary care meetings to address these issues, so please let us know if you have direct experience of abuse or violence from patients by emailing [email protected]. 

Free CET and CPD resources

As we approach the end of the current CET cycle on 31 December 2021, there are several free sources available to help members meet GOC requirements, including:

• DOCET
• Insight Optical Training
• Nystagmus network

CPD will replace CET from 1 January - learn more. The GOC is also running a webinar for registrants about the changeover at 5pm on 14 December 2021. Sign up.
 
Responding to member feedback, FODO has not invested in CET-type events, especially as there is so much CET available from free sources, and many FODO members run education and training programmes. However, with the change to CPD, we are asking members for their views about whether we should now provide CPD materials and, if so, in which areas? Please let us know your views by emailing [email protected]. 

New GOC website

The GOC has launched a new website, which should be more straightforward, accessible and quicker to use. The GOC is asking registrants for feedback on the new site. 

Medical devices

FODO has responded with ABDO and the AOP, to the MHRA consultation on the future regulation of medical devices (including low-risk optical devices such as spectacles, contact lenses, and solutions). The new rules are due to come into force from July 2023. FODO has argued for regulation to be proportionate to risk and duplication avoided to prevent unnecessary additional costs for patients and the NHS. 

Drivers unaware of law, risk fines and bans reports College

New data from the College of Optometrists shows 50% of spectacle-wearing drivers do not know it is illegal to drive without their prescribed distance glasses or contact lenses. Twenty-five per cent of drivers have risked fines or bans by not wearing them while driving, 36% say they have never had their eyesight tested for driving, and 12% admit to never having visited an optometrist. 

Automated grading in diabetic eye screening

The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) explored using automated grading in the Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) programme this year. However, it concluded further research would be needed into outcomes, value for money and the social and ethical aspects of using AI systems in the screening programme before this could be introduced. 

NAO reports on NHS backlogs and waiting times

The National Audit Office (NAO) has published a report on backlogs and waiting times for elective and cancer care in NHS England. It warns there is a real risk that the waiting list for patients seeking elective care will be longer in 2025 than today and could reach 12 million.
 
The NAO concluded that this was a multi-faceted challenge and that there was still a great deal of uncertainty about the road ahead.
 
According to the Financial Times, the government's plan to clear NHS waiting lists is expected to lack detailed targets. 

National clinical director for eye care could be on horizon

The Macular Society reports that Maria Caulfield MP has confirmed plans are under way for recruiting a national clinical director after this was raised at a parliamentary reception on 30 November. 

New shadow health secretary

Wes Streeting MP has replaced Jonathan Ashworth MP as shadow health secretary as part of a shadow cabinet reshuffle. 

Questions in parliament

This week health secretary Sajid Javid was asked:

1. What assessment his department has made of the capacity of the NHS to meet the demand for ophthalmology services. 

In response, the department said:
 
"NHS England and NHS Improvement's National Eye Care Recovery and Transformation programme is assisting local systems to redesign and improve outpatient ophthalmology services and improve the use of technology to support patients outside of hospital and meet future demand."
 
2. What steps is his department taking to improve routine eye care check-ups via community optometry? 

In response, the department has said an answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as available.
 
In addition, Stuart Anderson MP asked the transport secretary what steps he is taking to support road safety for deaf and blind people. We will update members once a reply is given. 

Other sector news

Optometry Scotland members can save a third on the cost of their two-day pass for Eyecare 2022, which takes place on 16-17 January 2022 in Glasgow.
 
opti 2022, the international trade show for optics and design, will occur from 13-15 May 2022 (Friday to Sunday) in Munich.
 
Optometry First seminar now available online
 
A review finds that nurse-led eye injections increased significantly between 2015 and 2020, with a high safety standard and patient satisfaction.
 
Eye News has published this article on the drivers of efficiency of ophthalmic practice in the US and whether these can transform eyecare services in the UK.
 
There is also a review of the latest developments in treating glaucoma in the UK, ahead of publication, in January 2022, of a partial update of current NICE glaucoma management recommendations.
 
Bradford University is looking to recruit patients from staff, students and the general public for its eye clinic.