18 March 2022

FODO member update – 18 March

This week:

• Opportunity - National clinical director for eye care
• Scottish Government ventilation enhancement grant
• Eye care digital playbook
• OFNC welcomes new policies on Optometrist Performer Listing in England
• Get involved - compassionate conversations training
• Health and wellbeing engagement event announced
• GOC Council meeting update
• Participate in the first data submission for new NOD AMD Audit
• System enhancements to PCSE Online
• Peter-Abel-Award now open
• Other sector news

Opportunity - National clinical director for eye care

NHS England is recruiting a part-time national clinical director for eye care. NHS England has said the postholder will provide 'clinical advice and leadership to drive transformation of services for patients through corporate programmes and Long-Term Plan workstreams'.

This is a significant opportunity for the right person to lead the future of eye care in England. You have until 30 March to apply. Read the job description and apply. 

Scottish Government ventilation enhancement grant

Following further queries regarding (i) whether delivery charges are eligible to be claimed and (ii) can portable equipment such as air scrubbers be used as a permanent solution, the Scottish Government has added paragraphs 19 and 20 to its FAQ on the ventilation enhancement grant. 

Eye care digital playbook

Are you using the NHSX Eye care digital playbook? 

It provides examples of how technology and innovation are being used to transform eye care services across the UK, including, for example, NHS Grampian's Eye Health Network.

If you use the digital playbook and have implemented change, please get in touch to share the impact it has made on local patients by emailing [email protected]. 

OFNC welcomes new policies on Optometrist Performer Listing in England

Following our update of 11 February, we, along with other OFNC partners, the College of Optometrists and LOCSU, met NHSE England to work through new policies on Optometrist Performer Listing in England. Following this review, we have published this statement, which explains the benefits of the new policy. Gordon Ilett, OFNC chair, said: "Following clarity and reassurances about these points from NHS England, we are happy to commend these changes to the profession." 

Get involved - compassionate conversations training

NHS England is helping colleagues handle difficult situations through a new training programme that has received a 93% satisfaction rating to date.

The course is available to upskill patient-facing, non-clinical staff with the skills to handle difficult situations with compassion. This includes patients presenting aggressively or in distress or dealing with difficult conversations at work.

Please share this opportunity with all primary eye care colleagues and take advantage of availability before the end of March. Contact the NHS team at [email protected] to learn more. 

Health and wellbeing engagement event announced

NHS England has invited optometry colleagues and others in primary care to a Microsoft Teams event on 6 April from 5pm to 6.30pm. The event will discuss the dedicated health and wellbeing support and local mental health hub support available to you and your colleagues. 

GOC Council meeting update

The GOC Council has updated its education and training requirements for contact lens opticians. The new system will mean candidates will acquire a single qualification approved by the GOC, leading to specialist entry to the GOC register as a contact lens optician. Read more.

At this week's Council meeting, the GOC also approved its business plan for 2022-23 and reviewed its annual fitness to practise audit. Read more. 

Participate in the first data submission for new NOD AMD Audit

The RCOphth is inviting AMD services across the UK to participate and submit data for inclusion in the National Ophthalmology Database (NOD) AMD Audit's first complete data extraction scheduled for May 2022. Read more to take part. 

System enhancements to PCSE Online

PCSE Online Ophthalmic Payments has made various system enhancements following user feedback. They include streamlining the Performer system, adding a signature processing indicator and on-screen guidance for user administrators, and reducing memorable answer length.

It has also made it easier for PCSE Online user administrators to ensure users linked to their practice are kept up to date. You can view the communication for user administrators here.

Please email PCSE if you have further queries: [email protected]. 

Peter-Abel-Award now open

The Association of German Contact Lens Specialists and Optometrists (VDCO) has announced that this year's Peter Abel Award is now open for international entries. 

Rodenstock sponsors the award for €4,000 for scientific work in contact optics, ocular physiology, and optometry, leading to a PhD.

The award recipient will be invited to present their work at the annual VDCO meeting on 8 October 2022 in Osnabrück. Learn more. 

Other sector news

RNIB has partnered with navigation company what3words to improve accessibility for people with vision loss. Learn more.

BCLA urges eye care practitioners to sign up for Love Your Lenses Week 13-19 June 2022.

RCOphth president Professor Bernie Chang shares his views on NHS England's latest cataract initiative.

The Times reports on apps people can use if they are worried about their vision and hearing.