14 April 2023

FODO member update - 14 April

This week:

• Notice of FODO AGM
• GOC publishes formal response to the call for evidence on the Opticians Act
• Remembering former GOC chair Gareth Hadley
• Covid testing guidance - England and Wales
• Part-time GOC role for registered optometrists
• Optometry Wales continues practice visits
• Other sector news
• Health policy updates

Notice of FODO AGM

FODO has given notice that it's holding this year's Annual General Meeting by videoconference at 10.30-11.30am on 10 May 2023. Following consultation with members, the Board will propose a special resolution to update FODO's registered name to the Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians. Members planning to attend can contact [email protected] for joining details.   
 
If you are a member and interested in joining the FODO Board, please email [email protected] with a copy of your CV by 28 April at 5pm. Please also feel free to email us at the same address if you have any questions. 

GOC publishes formal response to the call for evidence on the Opticians Act

The GOC has published its analysis and impact assessment following its call for evidence on the Opticians Act and consultation on associated GOC policies. This latest announcement formally publishes papers already shared at the GOC Council meeting in March. Read FODO's 24 March update for a recap of the main outcomes. Alternatively, you can read the full report.
 
FODO's policy team continues to analyse this GOC work and related research. We will keep members updated with any strategically important developments. 

Remembering former GOC chair Gareth Hadley OBE

FODO is saddened to report the passing of Gareth Hadley, who has died after a short illness. Gareth was chair of the GOC Council from February 2013 until February 2021.
 
The GOC has said an online remembrance page is available for those wishing to share memories and tributes to Gareth.
 
FODO's David Hewlett posted: "Gareth will be missed by everyone who knew him, including many of us at FODO. He brought focus and energy to reform at the GOC and was a warm and generous man with a deep sense of humanity. He also had many good stories to tell from his previous posts in the railways and prison service, always with warmth and a great sense of fun. We have lost a great public servant and the Savile Club one of its best bon viveurs and raconteurs." 
 
Former chief executive and registrar Lesley Longstone said: "Gareth will be sorely missed for his absolute focus on strategic reform of our regulatory functions, and ultimately his contribution to eye care safety. But I will miss him for his warm friendship and enduring support through massive periods of change, not least during the early stages of the pandemic." 

Covid testing guidance - England and Wales

The College of Optometrists has issued a guidance note to confirm the following changes for healthcare staff with Covid symptoms:

• In Wales, they are no longer required to have an LFD test. Read more.
• In England, they do not need a confirmatory LFD test unless they provide direct care to patients at higher risk of severe illness from Covid - e.g. providing care to severely immunosuppressed patients. Read more.

If you have any questions about this, please email [email protected]. 

Part-time GOC role for registered optometrists

The GOC is recruiting for an assessor to work on registration applications from non-UK optical professionals. If you have been registered for at least five years, you can learn more and apply before midnight on 23 April. 

Optometry Wales continues practice visits

Optometry Wales has continued to invite a small number of practices to participate in practice visits for Members of the Senedd ahead of planned GOS reforms. Most recently, @MikeHedgesAM of Swansea East and @SKurtzCWSP of Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire have visited practices to learn about aspects of planned GOS reforms. You can keep up to date with practice visits on Twitter. 

Other sector news

• Twelve Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (IoO) staff have made it into the Ophthalmologist Power List 2023. The list includes NHS England's clinical director for eye care.
• In April, The College of Optometrists and AOP issued separate advice on tackling hay fever.
• The Royal College reports on an example of successful PIFU in ophthalmology.
• You can join an Optometry Wales CPD event on 24 April at 6.30pm covering the impact of global warming on ophthalmology. Register.

Health policy updates

NHS England has published its primary care commissioning assurance framework. It explains how 'NHS England will be assured that integrated care boards (ICBs) are exercising the delegated functions safely, effectively, and in line with legal requirements'. You can review the POS delegation agreement, which FODO, as part of the OFNC, has agreed. NHS England makes clear that: 'ICBs will have delegated responsibility for the contract management and assurance of providers/contractors. This Framework will therefore focus on the responsibilities being exercised by ICBs and not on the assurance of providers/contractors themselves.'

Dr Ursula Montgomery, NHS England director of primary care, has announced she is standing down after a year in post, reports the HSJ. It adds that NHS England has started the process of cutting its administrative and management workforce by up to 40%.

The Hewitt review on integrated care systems was published on 4 April 2023. It focuses on GPs and calls for a review of the GP core contract, which is what doctors had already requested. It also calls for the NHS to cut national targets and priorities to a maximum of 10 and to spend more on prevention (repeating calls in the NHS Long Term Plan and other documents). However, this time it recommends 1% of NHS expenditure be invested in prevention over the next five years.