26 January 2024

FODO member update - 26 January

This week:

• New guidance for managing measles in optometric settings
• Keynote speech calls for expansion of enhanced primary eye care services
• Companies House announces filing changes
• Wales updates
• Benefit from the Blue Light Card
• College updates six CMGs
• Playing football with sight loss
• Other sector news
• Policy news

New guidance for managing measles in optometric settings

This week, NHS England published guidance on risk assessment and IPC measures for measles in healthcare settings. Helpfully, the College of Optometrists has developed new open-source guidance to support primary eye care practices across the UK in managing the increased risk of measles. FODO members are advised to read the College guidance. 

Keynote speech calls for expansion of enhanced primary eye care services

The Labour party has announced it would "seek to negotiate a deal with high street opticians to deliver outpatient appointments" in England. A Guardian article following the speech included more detail, such as plans to consider "cataract pre-assessments and operation follow-ups, glaucoma monitoring and common diagnostic tests".  
 
Catch up on the sector's response:

• Read FODO's response
• Read ABDO's response
• Read the AOP's response
• Read the College of Optometrists response.

Companies House announces filing changes

Micro and small companies registered with Companies House will need to file profit and loss accounts and balance sheets instead of just a balance sheet in future.
 
The reform is part of the government's Corporate Transparency & Register Reform Paper and reverses decades of practice. The register will also have new powers, including identity checks for directors and restrictions on corporate directorships.
 
FODO will inform members when the government provides a date for the filing changes. 

Wales updates

The Chief Optometric Advisor Wales Eye Care Digest, summarising 2023, is now available for all members that have practices in Wales.

Members with practices in the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board should also note that the new WGOS5 independent prescribing optometry service (IPOS) was launched 22 January and read:

• Guidance for non-WGOS5 providers in Cardiff and Vale
• List of WGOS 5 providers in Cardiff and Vale  

Benefit from the Blue Light Card

The Blue Light Card discount scheme, which has 4.8 stars on Trustpilot, is now open to all GOC registrants. Membership costs £4.99 and is valid for two years. It provides access to savings at over 13,000 retailers and information on live offers via the Blue Light Card app.
 
Register for the Blue Light Card. 

College updates six CMGs

The College of Optometrists has updated six Clinical Management Guidelines (CMGs) on keratitis (CL-associated infiltrative), marginal keratitis, photokeratitis, contact lens complications, cellulitis and endophthalmitis.
 
Members are advised to review these CMGs and keep up to date with all College CMGs as they form a significant part of defending any medical malpractice claim. 

Playing football with sight loss

Footballer Michael Owen and his son, who has a vision impairment due to Stargardt disease, have talked about living with sight loss in a new documentary, 'Football is for Everyone.' In it, they explore futsal, an adapted type of football. Read more. 

Other sector news

• Take part in the GOC Business registrant survey - closes 31 January
• The Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE) has published its fourth project on supervision guidance. Read more
• Leading universities partner to model disease risk based on genetics and retinal imaging. Read more
• Kate Winslet donates thousands of pounds to help a girl with Stargardt disease. Read more
• Study in Nature compares the views of patients and eye care professionals on information provided on AMD and DMO
• Voting is now open for the College Council Election
• RNIB shares concerns about barriers to work for disabled people with the shadow secretary of state
• Specsavers to provide free online CPD in the spring. Learn more and register.

Policy news

Department of Health and Social Care Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23 show that 14.5m people in England had an NHS sight test during the year and that DHSC spent just £539m on GOS in 2022-23, down from £560m in 2021-22.
 
The PSA is consulting on two new guidance documents for regulators covering rulemaking and FtP. The consultation will close on 15 April at 5pm. FODO will review the consultation on members' behalf.