16 December 2022

FODO member update – 16 December

This week:

• GOC CPD platform back online
• Welsh Government vows to protect vulnerable people during cost-of-living crisis
• Westminster debate - the government responds
• New PCA Scotland
• Patient safety update - referrals for eye care services in England
• GOC consultation - process for updating registered gender
• FODO opening hours over the festive period
• Other sector news

GOC CPD platform back online

MyCPD is back online. The GOC has apologised for any inconvenience. It has also confirmed six points this year is a "recommendation and not a requirement". Hence "your GOC registration will not be affected" if you do not have time to update your CPD record before 1 January 2023. Read the GOC update. 

Welsh Government vows to protect vulnerable people during cost-of-living crisis

Senedd first minister Mark Drakeford and finance minister Rebecca Evans have vowed to protect the most vulnerable in Wales during the cost-of-living crisis. Read FODO's response. 

Westminster debate - the government responds

The government has responded to calls for an eye care strategy for England by outlining its existing strategy.

Neil O'Brien, parliamentary under-secretary for primary care and public health, said:

• Sight tests help prevent sight loss when combined with early treatment. He said "that is why" the government continued to "fund free NHS sight tests for many" people.
• He showed support for NHS vouchers in England by explaining they help "children and those on income-related benefits" obtain vision correction.
• That the government was committed to tackling the risk factors of sight loss, including obesity and smoking.
• The government acknowledged ophthalmology teams were under pressure like other NHS specialities, but this would be addressed through the elective recovery plan and new investment.
• He also pointed to "pilots for cataracts and glaucoma". He said that the pilots were "allowing primary care practices to care for these patients and refer only those who need to be seen by specialists" and this would "will feed into any possible future service model".

View the full transcript. 

New PCA Scotland

The Directorate of Primary Care in Scotland issued a new PCA today. It covers signposting over the holiday period, homeless patients and eOphthalmic arrangements, vaccines and other important updates. Members in Scotland should read the PCA in full. 

Patient safety update - referrals for eye care services in England

Please note that in some areas optical practices have incorrectly been informed that paper referrals will be rejected due to a misunderstanding about local electronic referral systems. Read the optical sector's response. 

GOC consultation - process for updating registered gender

The GOC is consulting on a new policy setting out the process for registrants to update their registered gender. The consultation will be open until 20 March 2023. Learn more and take part. 

FODO opening hours over the festive period

FODO will close on the following bank holidays:

• 26 and 27 December
• 2 January

During 28-30 December, a team member will be on hand to help members. If you need anything, please email [email protected], and we will get back to you within 24 hrs. 

Other sector news

• Payment plan provider OcuPlan and Macular announce a new partnership
• Read HEIW's latest Primary Care Workforce bulletin
• Blind woman left feeling anxious after being hit by e-scooter, BBC reports
• Optician reports on OFNC statement
• ABDO head of policy moves to NHS role in Scotland. Read more
• RCOphth supports RNIB case on the benefits of CVI registration
• Optometry Scotland reports on InnoScot Health seeking innovative "ophthalmic solutions that can help support NHS Scotland to strengthen and make meaningful change in this priority area of its recovery plan". If you have ideas on how to improve outcomes in ophthalmology, get involved
• DHSC has set out the terms of reference for the independent review of integrated care systems led by Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt.