08 December 2023

FODO member update - 8 December

This week:

• FODO opening hours over the festive period
• Individuals applying to join FODO for 2024
• Voucher at a Glance Wales
• GOC improves access to self-directed CPD
• Update on eye gel recall
• WGOS news #7
• IR35 compliance
• Other sector news
• Policy updates

FODO opening hours over the festive period

FODO will be closed from 25-29 December and on 1 January.
 
Please note that members can still access out-of-hours support during this period. If you need anything, please email [email protected] and we will get back to you within 48 hours. If you email, we will also provide a contact number should you have an urgent matter that needs a same-day response. 

Individuals applying to join FODO for 2024

We have created a short guide to explain why we will close applications for individual applicants on 21 December and reopen the application window on 2 January. We have also produced some FAQs to help individuals check whether they need to apply for their own medical malpractice insurance. Read our short guide and FAQs. 

Voucher at a Glance Wales

We have now published Vouchers at a Glance Wales. Members can complete this form for printed copies. 

GOC improves access to self-directed CPD

The GOC has confirmed that it has made it possible for registrants with a specialty, such as contact lens opticians and optometrists with prescribing rights, to obtain points in the specialty domain through self-directed Continuing Professional Development (CPD). 

Alan Tinger, FODO director, said: "This is excellent news. Empowering all registrants to explore the rich world of self-directed CPD is a step in the right direction. Hopefully, we will see further changes in the future so that all CPD requirements can be obtained through self-directed learning." 

Update on eye gel recall

Members have read our previous updates about the MHRA recall notice for carbomer gel distributed after August 2023. UKHSA has now said it is investigating potential contamination of some gels with Burkholderia cenocepacia. Read the alert and access full details. 

WGOS news #7

The latest WGOS newsletter confirms that practices have the same flexibility when booking NHS sight tests as before reforms. It also reminds practices when they need to write to a GP. Read the newsletter. Please note: OW has said: "Practices will not be penalised if some GP report letters were not sent by practices following WGOS2 patient examinations due to contradiction between the online training and the WGOS 1&2 manual." OW has also confirmed that it is working with stakeholders to review details in the WGOS1&2 Clinical Manual regarding GP report letters. 

IR35 compliance

HMRC has issued guidance to support compliance with IR35. Its goal is to help businesses comply with reforms to off-payroll working rules and avoid common mistakes. Access the guidance. 

Other sector news

• Access presentations from the recent Wales Eyecare Conference
• Shailesh Varsani, professional services manager for Asda Opticians,
  joins GOC Investigation Committee 
• The National Eye Institute (NEI) has chosen Richard Lee from Moorfields Eye Hospital as its clinical director. Dr Lee will oversee clinical research and serve as clinical policy adviser for NEI. 

Policy updates

Victoria Atkins, health and social care secretary at DHSC, has set out her department's priorities. They include commitments to make it faster, simpler and fairer for patients to access the care they need and to get treatment locally.
 
DHSC also intends to improve access to A&E services and cut waiting lists. In addition, it has said it will tackle bureaucracy by giving frontline teams the "latest technology to free up their time to care for patients". 

The latest statement says that the government is committed to supporting older people to maintain their independence for longer and deliver "a more productive NHS that is fairer for taxpayers".
 
Harjit Sandhu, FODO managing director, said: "We welcome this latest news. Most eye care needs can be met close to home in ways that are faster, simpler and fairer for patients and more cost-effective for taxpayers and the NHS. ICBs can work with LOCs to make this happen and ensure all patients benefit from their region's enhanced primary eye care services."
 
In other policy news

• Specsavers and Vision Care for Homeless People hosted an event in parliament this week to raise awareness about barriers homeless people face when accessing essential eye care services.
• BIOS promotes a secondment opportunity to review refraction and HES prescriptions in response to GOC's call for evidence on the Opticians Act. Read more.