23 February 2024

FODO member update - 23 February

This week:

• People continue to suffer sight loss due to delays in care
• CCEHC and LOCSU publish new clinical specification
• RNIB launches framework for low vision care
• Take part - NHS England e-RS survey
• Other sector news
• Policy news

People continue to suffer sight loss due to delays in care

In October, we reported on the news that ophthalmology topped hidden waiting lists in England, putting patients' sight at risk. This week, the BBC reported that patients remain at risk while stuck on hidden waiting lists.
 
The BBC says not all hospitals follow national guidance and record patients who have waited too long for follow-up care. Karen Hyde is from Insource, a company that helps hospitals manage waiting lists. She told the BBC the guidance was "commonly ignored" and that it was "a huge issue". She added: "The NHS does not incentivise hospitals to keep a close eye on these patients." 
 
As part of its investigation, the BBC spoke to people about the risk of sight loss due to delays in care. Andy Allen, from Chelmsford, who has wet AMD, told the BBC that he has continued to experience delays in follow-up care and his vision is deteriorating. Macular Society charity chief executive Cathy Yelf has called ongoing delays in secondary eye care a "tragedy" and said that people "are terrified at the prospect of losing their sight." 

CCEHC and LOCSU publish new clinical specification

The Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning (CCEHC) and LOCSU have now published a new standard clinical specification for community minor and urgent eye care.
 
Primary care minister Andrea Leadsom said: "This government is working hard to reduce pressure on the NHS and improve patient outcomes - including exploring a greater role for community optometry.
 
"That is why in September last year the government asked for this piece of work to be taken forward, and I am grateful to LOCSU and CCEHC for their role in leading it. This will help local commissioners get the best outcomes if they choose to commission these services as part of their local eye care provision. I'm also thankful to our hard-working optometrists delivering important front-line eyecare on our high streets for those that need it."
 
The NOC conference in November updated the sector on plans to produce a service specification. This week, LOCSU and CCEHC published a clinical specification with other tools which you can access below:

• Standard clinical specification
• Risk stratification, conditions and service pathway table
• Patient pathway diagram.

RNIB launches framework for low vision care

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has launched a new framework for low vision clinics. FODO and other sector partners support the framework. 

Take part - NHS England e-RS survey

NHS England would like to better understand how you refer patients to secondary care so that it can assess the benefits and costs of developing technical solutions. Take part in the survey. 

Other sector news

• Glaucoma UK and Diabetes UK have issued guidance on using eye drops and fasting for people with sight loss during the holy month of Ramadan. Read more.
• PocketEye wins the inaugural Collaborative Eye Care Award. Read more.
• National Eye Health Week (NEHW) is inviting everyone in optics to support this year's awareness campaign and help spread the word on eye health. Register for free resources by sending your name, business name and contact details to [email protected].
• SPOKE has published two new Indicative Guidance documents - one for contact lens opticians and one for independent prescribers. Learn more.
• Scotland - results of community glaucoma service equality impact assessment.
• Free online CPD event - surgery and laser in glaucoma: when, what, and why. 4 March at 6.30pm.
• £100,000 Glaucoma UK ophthalmology research award open for 2024. Learn more.

Policy news

• While primary eye care, dentistry and general practice have reported significant cuts in funding and lack of prioritisation by the NHS, pharmacy is to benefit from a proactive push by NHS England. This week, it launched a national campaign to promote Pharmacy First, including on TV, social media and billboards across England. It will encourage people to use their high street pharmacy for specific conditions instead of visiting their GP this winter.

• In a survey of 1,000 patients across the UK by the Patients Association and Roche Diagnostics UK and Ireland (the same organisation behind the Eyes Have It campaign), people said it should be easier to obtain access to diagnostic tests they need. 8% of survey respondents said they had a sight or hearing impairment.

• The NHS Standard Contract 2024/25 has been published.