28 July 2023

FODO member update - 28 July

This week:

• BBC highlights the wonder of glasses
• NHS Wales issues update on planned reforms
• Eye care statistics Wales
• Teething problems post NHS reforms
• OFNC update on NHS performers list regulations
• Healthcare Improvement Scotland - cataract surgery draft standards
• Other sector news

BBC highlights the wonder of glasses

This week's All Consuming radio programme does a deep dive into the history of spectacles and how they have changed how we see things, looking at science, fashion, design, competition and cultural change.  

The programme also touches on when the NHS offered a limited range of basic frames, including how people felt about this. The presenter explains how parents and parliamentarians at the time recognised a basic and little choice of frames had become a "badge of poverty across their faces". The BBC presenter says it is "lucky there are more options now" thanks to greater choice and competition introduced in the 1980s.

FODO's response to the consultation on eye care reforms in Wales warns that plans to cut patient benefits could have a detrimental impact on children and adults on means-tested benefits who depend on NHS support for essential vision correction.

Listen to the BBC programme. 

NHS Wales issues update on planned reforms

This week NHS Wales issued a sector update on planned eye care reforms in Wales.

NHS Wales repeats what was said before the most recent public consultation and advises it will soon start to publish a weekly update.

The statement sets out for the first time that Welsh Government plans to lay regulations before the Senedd in September/October 2023. Assuming there will be no challenges or concerns raised in the Senedd, NHS Wales states that the regulations would come into force 21 days later.

We advise all members in Wales to read this update in full. Please also scroll to page 4 to ensure you register for future updates to keep directly abreast of news in Wales.

Eye care statistics Wales

The Welsh Government has published the latest eye care statistics for Wales. They show that primary eye care services have made a strong recovery after Covid, with activity returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2022-23 and that 'the number of primary care optometrists continues to increase and is at a record high level' of 1,045.

The National Survey for Wales also showed that 49% of people in Wales would now seek advice from their optometrist or optician if they had a painful or red eye, with just 2% saying they would ask a hospital.

In contrast, the Welsh Government warns that secondary care has not recovered, with more patients waiting longer and fewer closed episodes of care. The number of eye care doctors also remains similar to the previous five years, at 140 FTEs. A recent update to NHS stats had also shown far too many people in Wales remain at risk of sight loss due to delays in accessing the hospital eye service.

The key stats for 2022-23

• 321 primary eye care practices provided general ophthalmic services (GOS), with 304 practices providing the Eye Health Examination Wales (EHEW) scheme
• 790,000 GOS-funded sight tests were provided across Wales
• 23,424 domiciliary sight tests were also funded, 83.2% at the higher rate
• 210,175 total examinations took place under EHEW. 60% for band 1, 24% for band 2 and 16% for band 3
• Patients benefited from 8,096 low-vision service assessments
• 269,940 optical vouchers, a patient benefit for children and adults on means-tested-benefits, were processed to help with the cost of essential vision correction
• Registration of vision impairment increased, and the hospital eye services remained under pressure with more than 300,000 outpatient visits each year.

Read the full report.

Teething problems post NHS reforms

As with all previous NHS reforms in England, some teething problems have occurred during the latest round of reorganisation, which we have sought to address via LOCs or directly as appropriate.

We monitor the situation closely, so if you are experiencing any teething problems with the new NHS structures, for example, delays in novating GOS contracts, processing GOS claims or opening new contracts, please email [email protected]. 

OFNC update on NHS performers list regulations

The OFNC recently responded to a Department of Health and Social Care consultation on changes to the National Health Service (Performers Lists) (England) Regulation 2013. The OFNC successfully resisted unacceptable proposals, which had been lifted and dropped from GP requirements. The OFNC will now work with NHS England on general guidance on the changes (which apply to GPs, dentists and optometrists), as well as considering whether any further guidance for optometrists and GOS contractors is required. As a key member of the OFNC, FODO will continue to work on behalf of members and the wider sector to get this right.

Read the complete OFNC statement.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland - cataract surgery draft standards

Healthcare Improvement Scotland has published cataract surgery draft standards for consultation. The consultation closes 6 September 2023. If you are responding, you must use the online survey. 

Other sector news

Eyecare multinational EssilorLuxottica has announced a move into the hearing market following its acquisition of Tel Aviv-based startup Nuance Hearing. It said it hopes to ''eliminate the stigma associated with traditional hearing solutions'.

Wales leads the UK in allowing optometrists to certify vision impairment for the first time.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has released six CPD articles on using early re-test codes 1-6 on GOS forms. Each article provides half a non-interactive CPD point and will take about 30 minutes to complete. GOC registrants in England can access the articles at Guidance on how to use early re-test codes 1-6 on GOS forms in England webpage.

The HSJ reports that 20 clinical director roles in England are up for renewal in October. Clinical director posts are typically hired on fixed-term contracts and current incumbents will likely continue in post until the renewal. The national clinical director eye care post has been filled as a three-year post (until 31 October 2026).

The College of Optometrists and BCLA are to merge their conferences. Optometry Tomorrow and BCLA Focus will offer 120 CPD sessions over two days. Read more.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists reports on the General Medical Council's annual survey of trainees and trainers across the UK. The survey was completed by 94% of ophthalmologists in training. 82% rated their quality of teaching as good or very good and 88% said the same about the quality of clinical supervision. However, they also reported working longer hours, increased risk of burnout and not being confident to report discrimination in the workplace. While 87% of senior trainees are on track to meet cataract curriculum competencies, the College expressed concerns about a third of trainees completing fewer than 51 cataract procedures at the end of ST2.

BIOS has released a new position statement to help navigate complex UK legislation on medicine exemptions.