27 October 2023

FODO member update - 27 October

This week:

• Ophthalmology tops hidden waiting list in England
• GPs remain under pressure
• Joint sector statement on GOC survey
• Obituary John Baker FBDO
• Wales - WGOS fees confirmed 
• England - PVN webinar for domiciliary providers
• Scotland - Government optometric adviser post
• Participate in GCU DO training survey 
• Other sector news
• Health policy update

Ophthalmology tops hidden waiting list in England

About 11 million people are waiting for follow-up appointments at acute trusts, according to research published by the think-tank Reform. This is on top of the commonly reported 7.75 million people waiting for their first elective appointment.
 
In its report on the hidden waitlist: the growing follow-up backlog, Reform ranks ophthalmology as having the highest average number of people waiting per trust. It notes that it has had consistently high follow-up waitlists since 2019.
 
The report also warns that delays in follow-up care have resulted in patients suffering permanent visual loss, with people waiting for follow-up care nine times more likely to suffer harm than new patients. Reform notes that about 30% more patients are now on ophthalmology waitlists than before the pandemic and people with chronic ophthalmological conditions like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are at particular risk. It added: "This is likely to worsen as the population continues to age."
 
FODO managing director Harjit Sandhu said: "This research is another red flag. We have known for many years that people needlessly lose sight while waiting for hospital eye care. This sight loss is 100% avoidable by using primary eye care capacity better, as we set out in Principles and priorities. We all know the hospital outpatient model of eye care is not sustainable and cannot meet the nation's eye health needs. ICBs urgently need to commission enhanced primary eye care services to help support the glaucoma caseload, and reduce pressure on hospital eye services and prevent all cases of sight loss due to delays in care." 

GPs remain under pressure

GPs continue to see a record number of patients and remain under pressure. Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that many patients continue to face difficulties contacting their GP. Almost a third of those who tried over the past month struggled to get in touch.?

Harjit Sandhu, managing director at FODO, said: "Looking at NHS and ONS data, GP colleagues, despite doing their best, are clearly under unsustainable pressure. That is why enhanced primary eye care services, including MECS, are so important. We know for example that when enhanced primary eye care is commissioned by the NHS, it eases pressure on GPs as people are more likely to visit their optical practice when they have an eye problem. This is good for GPs, the NHS and most importantly, all patients. That is why we are calling for more NHS enhanced primary eye care services to be commissioned."

Joint sector statement on GOC survey

In July, we reported on a GOC survey showing many registrants reported experiencing bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination in the workplace, and we committed to working with sector partners to address this at all levels. We have now met with sector partners and published a joint statement setting out a zero-tolerance policy to bullying, harassment, abuse, and discrimination. We commit to working together to help tackle survey findings. Read the joint statement. 

Obituary John Baker FBDO

We are sad to report the passing this week of John Baker. John, an honorary member of FODO, helped influence and improve the sector through his lifelong commitment to better eye health. Read more. 

Wales - WGOS fees confirmed

As planned, the Welsh Government has confirmed new clinical fees for WGOS. The WGOS eye examination will be £43 from 20 October 2023. For NHS domiciliary visits carried out on or after 20 October 2023, the visiting fee will be £38.27 for the first and second patients and £9.58 for the third and subsequent patients. Access the complete list of clinical fees. 

England - PVN webinar for domiciliary providers

PCSE will host a webinar covering completing and submitting a PVN, GOS 6 and GOS 3 claims on 16 November from 6-7pm. Learn more and sign up. 

Scotland - Government optometric adviser post

The Scottish Government (SG) is seeking an independent prescribing community optometrist for the position of optometric adviser. Doing the 0.5 whole-time equivalent post while on secondment or an SLA between SG and your current employer is possible. The closing date for applications is 9 November. Learn more and apply.  

Participate in GCU DO training survey

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) has ambitious plans to broaden the appeal and extend the skills available to Dispensing Opticians. The intention is to have the programme delivered as a graduate apprenticeship and that the Scottish Funding Council will fully fund the eligible students' fees. Read more about the plans. Please support GCU by completing this short questionnaire. 

Other sector news

• The College of Optometrists launches national media campaign to urge the public to wear their glasses for night driving. Read more.
• Moorfields launches a campaign to encourage people to buy cosmetic Halloween contact lenses from registered practitioners to avoid serious damage to eye health. Read more.
• BIOS welcomes guidelines recognising the orthoptist's role in the stroke care team.
• Sight Research UK is accepting applications for new Research Advisory Board members and chair. Learn more.
• RNIB works with M&S to create the first accessible Christmas food magazine.

Health policy update

The King's Fund provides a short overview of political party health plans as campaigning for the next election begins. As in all elections since the 1990s, the goal remains to shift care from hospitals towards primary and community services, focusing on prevention. Read more.
 
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) criticises the postcode lottery for patients who depend on urgent and emergency care. Read more.
 
MHRA, FDA and Health Canada have published five guiding principles for machine learning-enabled medical devices. These build on the 10 guiding principles for good machine-learning practice. Read more.