26 April 2024

FODO member update - 26 April

This week:

• Minister asked about practices closing
• College updates CMGs
• Rejected claims for uncollected glasses
• At a glance
• Health policy updates

Minister asked about practices closing

Derek Thomas MP asked the government about the "adequacy" of the GOS sight test fee in England and how many opticians stopped providing GOS in the last 12 months.

Andrea Leadsom responded that the GOS fee is "considered annually." She added that evidence from the OFNC is taken "into account" alongside "affordability for the NHS" and information about "patient access to sight testing services, which continue to be widely available".

As for how many opticians stopped providing GOS, she said: "254 contracts for providing NHS sight-testing services were terminated between February 2023 and January 2024", and "179 new contracts were awarded".

College updates CMGs

The College of Optometrists has tweeted that it has now reviewed and updated the following Clinical Management Guidelines (CMG):

• Basal cell carcinoma
• Concretions
• Traumas (blunt, chemical and penetrating)

Rejected claims for uncollected glasses

Primary Care Support England has published an update about rejected claims for uncollected glasses (GOS3 and GOS4). The update explains why some claims are rejected and how to address this. We advise members providing GOS in England to read the update.

At a glance

• New paper outlines the history, market situation, clinical management and performance regarding the correction of presbyopia. Read more.
• Free CPD event on breaking bad news on 19 June at 6.30pm. Gwyn Williams, consultant ophthalmologist, Swansea Bay University Health Board, will explain how to respond with humanity and kindness to circumstances where patients, their family or their carers may experience pain, distress or anxiety when you are delivering bad news in a clinical setting.
• Glaucoma UK has declared PhD student Zainab Alrikabi from Glasgow Caledonian University as the recipient of this year's Excellence in Glaucoma Care Award. The award acknowledges contributions to the field of glaucoma care, recognising their commitment to enhancing patients' lives. Read more.
• Mark Rogerson has become the first person with sight loss in Europe to complete the six world marathon majors. He raised £25,000 for RNIB when he finished the London marathon on Sunday. Read more.
• Eye to Eye campaign on the tube. Moorfields Eye Charity has launched its annual campaign to raise money. This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the annual fund-raising drive, having raised more than £900,000 in the last nine years.
• RNIB has awarded £398,000 of funding from the British Gas Energy Trust to deliver vital support to local communities over the next two years. Read more.
• Optician reports on Ocushield retaining its HMRC innovation tax breaks.

Health policy updates

Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, asked the Scottish Government for more clarity on the NHS recovery plan. In responding to this broader question, Neil Gray MSP touched on eye care. Sharing the Cataract Sub-Specialty Delivery has helped increase surgical outcomes throughout cataract-only sessions. He added that a National Eyecare Workstream was also undertaking clinically led peer reviews to support new and efficient ways of working.

BBC reports that the SNP's power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens has collapsed.