01 December 2023

FODO member update - 1 December

This week:

• CUES benefits patients and the wider NHS
• FODO Group to lead on health economics R&D
• OFNC update - PCSE continuity plan
• Medical retina training available
• Help support homeless people this Christmas
• Reminder - eye gel recall
• Call to standardise eye imaging data
• Optometry Wales - inaugural awards
• Have your say - GOC consultations
• Deadline for new locum applications - FODO 2024
• Other sector news
• Health policy news

CUES benefits patients and the wider NHS

The Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IPHN) has showcased the Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES), which 1,159 optical practices now deliver in 19 ICB areas. The report notes that optical practices provided 292,322 CUES episodes across England in 2022/2023, with more than 81% of patients managed within the primary care service and just 11% referred to ophthalmology.
 
Manisha Kumar, chief medical officer of NHS Greater Manchester, said: "CUES provides patients accessible urgent eye care in the community, meaning patients can see an eye care specialist right away and reduce pressure on GPs and hospitals. The service shows the difference collaborative working across primary and secondary care can make, allowing us to treat residents with timely, high-quality care in the community." 

FODO Group to lead on health economics R&D

The FODO Group, which includes FODO, FODO Ireland and NCHA, has committed to building on its leading role in health policy and health economics across primary eye care and primary care audiology services.

The organisation has already invested in economic models to demonstrate the benefits of primary care audiology. It is set to expand its work in this area during 2024/2025. The Group will undertake further R&D in health economics to deliver on goals in principles and priorities for primary eye care. It will also invest in research in Ireland to help make the case for sustainable eye care services, and undertake further work to demonstrate the benefits of primary care audiology. We invite members interested in health economics to participate by emailing [email protected]. 

OFNC update - PCSE continuity plan

The OFNC has issued a statement on a new PCSE business continuity plan. The plan outlines steps practices should take if they cannot access the PCSE system to process claims due to a system outage or poor mobile or internet connectivity. Read more. 

Medical retina training available

Optometrists working in NHS ophthalmology can now access NHS Medical Retina CPD. Courses include non-medical intravitreal injection, OCT capture and interpretation, enhanced and advanced ophthalmic imaging and institutionalised medical retina courses. Roche Products funds the programme, as agreed with NHS England. Learn more and book a course. 

Help support homeless people this Christmas

The charity Vision Care for Homeless People has helped improve the sight of around 18,500 people who would otherwise have missed out on eyecare. However, it needs your support this Christmas to provide care to 1,500 people through existing clinics and by opening new clinics in other city centres. Learn how you can help.  

Reminder - eye gel recall

Last week, we advised members that the MHRA issued a recall notice for some batches of carbomer gel distributed after August 2023. The reason is a potential risk of contamination with the Burkholderia cenocepacia bacteria.
 
This is a reminder that the MHRA has said patients and healthcare professionals should stop using the affected gels, and retailers should withdraw affected products. The MHRA advises all healthcare professionals or anyone who suspects they may have become unwell after using these eye gels to report it to the agency's Yellow Card Scheme. Read more. 

Call to standardise eye imaging data

The FDA and other leading organisations in the US have published an editorial in the journal Ophthalmology about the benefits of storing and sharing eye imaging data in standard formats. The organisations advocate for ophthalmic imaging to align with Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM), which will also improve interoperability and patient care. Read more.
 
FODO members should note that the eye care sector in the UK is also working on DICOM to achieve the same goals, with the Royal College and College of Optometrists playing a leading role supported by sector bodies, including the OSA, FODO, ABDO and AOP colleagues. 

Optometry Wales - inaugural awards

Congratulations to all finalists and winners of Optometry Wales' first awards ceremony.
 
Helen Tilley from Monnow Eyecare won optometrist of the year. Monnow Eyecare also gained practice of the year. Ian Chalmers, Chalmers Opticians won dispensing optician/ contact lens optician of the year. The awards named Sara Mozaffar from Annette Dobbs Eyecare as practice manager of the year, and Elinor Hobby, Osmond Drake Opticians, earned innovator of the year. 

Have your say - GOC consultations

A reminder that GOC is consulting on removing references to a registrant's gender on the public register and seeking user feedback from people who search its register for information. FODO is planning to submit short responses to both consultations. To support our action, please email [email protected] by 18 December. You can also participate directly on the GOC website. 

Deadline for new locum applications - FODO 2024

If you are a locum and thinking about joining FODO for the first time in 2024, you will need to submit your application by 5pm on 21 December 2023.

The application for new locum members will close after 5pm and reopen on 2 January 2024.

We are implementing this new process because, in recent years, hundreds of locums have contacted us before renewal to try to join FODO after 25 December. Unfortunately, locums do not always have the insurance history they need to complete their application and cannot contact their existing provider as they are often closed. As a result of these factors beyond our control, we cannot guarantee our usual high standard of customer service during this period. We will, therefore, pause new applications from locums on 21 December and reopen the portal on 2 January. 

Other sector news

• RNIB and Primary Eyecare Services (PES) have joined forces to enable optometrists in North West England to refer patients directly to sight loss support. Learn more.
• PES's latest newsletter explains what the organisation is doing to improve access to enhanced NHS eye care services. Read more.
• DVSA says it is "considering how the eyesight test is administered during a driving test and will engage with DVLA's Medical Panel to ensure that any new procedures meet the current standards".
• College podcast supports the headlight glare campaign. Listen now.
• OCCS lead Jennie Jones shares her thoughts on the benefits of mediation in primary eye care and regulatory reform in healthcare. Read more.
• Congratulations to Elizabeth Shaw, who FODO has recognised for exceptional performance in her optometry degree. Read more.
• Diabetes in the top five conditions drives the rising global medical trend rate. Read more.
• The NEI reports that macular pigment density may indicate a new risk factor, suggesting a strategy for testing and treatment.
• 'No cost' PPE in Scotland will end in Scotland on 31 March 2024. Practices still accessing this PPE will receive the last delivery in March 2024 (ordered month ending February 2024). 

Health policy news

Royal College of Ophthalmologists president Ben Burton has written to the new secretary of state for health, Victoria Atkins, to highlight priorities for UK ophthalmology.
 
Andrea Leadsom has responded to several parliamentary questions on eye care, including confirming that NHS England supports the RNIB's Eye Care Support Pathway initiative and that the NHS must implement digital connectivity to enable direct referral from optometrists to ophthalmologists.
 
The Government hopes it can avert further consultant strikes with a new proposal to transform pay and conditions. The BMA said: "If the offer is accepted, the BMA will call an end to strike action and to stop promoting the extra-contractual rate card for consultants in England. However, a re-ballot on industrial action remains open until 18 December and if passed would enable consultants to call further strikes in 2024 if the offer is rejected."