01 March 2024

FODO member update - 1 March

This week:

• One week left to provide feedback on patient choice guidance
• Optical patient benefits increase by 1.68% in Scotland
• RAAC note for practice owners
• OW announces new CEO
• GOC publishes new statement on verification of contact lens specifications
• Primary care audiology - accessible ear and hearing care for all
• Other sector news
• Health policy update

One week left to provide feedback on patient choice guidance

The FODO consultation on Supporting patient choice in England closes on 8 March.
 
This guidance explains patients' legal right to choose their ophthalmology provider and answers FAQs on implementing the national rollout of direct referral from primary to secondary eye care services.
 
Respond to the consultation. 

Optical patient benefits increase by 1.68% in Scotland

GOS(3) vouchers in Scotland will increase by 1.68% from 1 April 2024. Read more. 

RAAC note for practice owners

Sector bodies have published a note on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in a typical optical practice setting. It includes a summary of advice and guidance from the HSE, IStructE and RICS. Read the note on RAAC. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. 

OW announces new CEO

Judy Misra will join Optometry Wales as chief executive officer starting 1 April 2024. Judy is currently director of contractor services for Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW) and was involved in contract negotiation and developing the new community pharmacy contract launched in 2022.  

GOC publishes new statement on verification of contact lens specifications

Following a consultation in 2023, the GOC has now published a new statement on the verification of contact lens specifications.
 
The GOC notes it "does not intend to pursue sellers who do not comply with contact lens specification verification requirements in relation to copies, so long as specific conditions are met".
 
In practical terms, the main change means that members supplying contact lenses will not have to verify every specification provided the person purchasing has an in-date contact lens specification from a GOC registrant that includes all the necessary details to enable a supply of contact lenses. It must also be in date, not contain obvious errors, and not have been "obviously tampered with".
 
The GOC also decided against publishing a definition of aftercare after its consultation confirmed there was already detailed guidance for registrants.
 
Read the full GOC update. 

Primary care audiology - accessible ear and hearing care for all

The NCHA, part of the FODO Group, has published Primary care audiology - accessible ear and hearing care for all. It sets out the clinical and economic evidence for an NHS-funded primary care audiology to be made available to more people across the UK. Learn more.  

Other sector news

• An annual eye examination could be a lifesaver, the APHA statement says. 
• The AOP has presented Professor David Whitaker - optometrist and prominent researcher -with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Read more.  
• UCL report on mice study suggests a possible link between inherited eye diseases and gut bacteria. Read more at UCL news.
• Researchers at the University of Exeter and King's say a genetic risk tool could save sight and predict multiple sclerosis in young people. Read more.
• Professor Nicola Logan makes the case for myopia management to try to prevent eye disease. Read more at Aston news.

Health policy update

On 9 February, we reported that GPs in England had called for further discussion after being offered a 1.9% uplift during a period of high inflation. Pulse said NHS England will now increase funding by 2.23% as part of a final offer for the 2024/25 GP contract, an increase of £259m, with £11,864m in total funding on general practice in England.
 
The IFS has published an analysis of NHS waiting lists in England. It reports that NHS elective waiting lists have continued to grow "as demand for care outstripped growth in the service's ability to provide it". It goes on to say that the NHS and government failed to "achieve most of their waiting list and waiting time targets in England since 2010."  
 
Meanwhile, the HSJ reports that NHS England is considering scrapping 'follow-up' targets. The HSJ says that "senior sources" have admitted that progress on existing targets has been difficult and that the NHS was not exploring potential ratio-based targets.
 
Parliamentary questions update:

• MP asks DHSC whether it has assessed the economic benefits of reducing sight loss. The minister states the benefits are clear, which is "why prevention, early detection, and timely treatment are essential." She goes on to praise the benefits of the NHS test once again. The minister also said: "NHS England's transformation programme is considering how eye care services should be commissioned for the future, to improve access to care and patient outcomes." Please note that FODO and sector partners, including ABDO and AOP, continue to meet regularly to horizon scan and work on behalf of the whole sector on the future of primary eye care. Members wishing to learn more can email [email protected].
• MP asks DHSC about enabling optometrists in England to issue a CVI. The minister said that in England, ophthalmologists "who are specialists in eye conditions" still perform this and that no assessment "has yet" been made about the merits of optometrists issuing a CVI.
• MP asks DHSC how many patients are waiting between an optometrist referral and an ophthalmology diagnosis. Minister responds: "During 2022/23, there were 560,340 referrals from an optometrist to a first outpatient appointment with an ophthalmology consultant. It is not possible from the data captured to identify the point at which a diagnosis is made following a referral." FODO notes: This would suggest that referral rates remain in the 3-5% range.

Meanwhile, in Scotland, responding to a request about the funding of eye care services, the Scottish Government said the budget for primary eye care was £130.1m and covered "national provision of free universal NHS eye examinations, NHS optical vouchers for eligible persons to help with the cost of glasses and contact lenses and new NHS services such as the Community Glaucoma Service which will enable patients to be seen closer to home."