24 May 2024

FODO member update - 24 May

This week:

• General election and healthcare 
• Sponsored professional certificates in glaucoma and medical retina
• College updates CMGs
• AI in ophthalmology
• PCSE updates
• Time to submit GOS complaints data
• Hakim Group mentioned twice in Times Best Places to Work 2024 list
• At a glance
• Health policy

General election and healthcare

The next UK general election will be on 4 July.

The economy and NHS retain their position as most people's top priorities.

While economic forecasts have improved recently, there is no indication that any political party plans to increase taxes to fund increases in public expenditure. Also, while this is a UK general election in terms of the economy, devolved healthcare means this is very much an England-centric election regarding the NHS.

Harjit Sandhu, managing director at the FODO group, said: "Throughout this election campaign and beyond, we will continue to engage with everybody across the political spectrum to advocate for rebalancing funding from secondary care to primary care. This is the only way the NHS can meet growing population needs in a sustainable way. We set out how in Principles and priorities for primary eye care and in our vision for primary care audiology."

He added: "Our call to rebalance expenditure is also supported by wider primary care colleagues, health policy experts and the public. A recent report published by the Health Foundation also highlights how the public wants primary and community care to be a higher priority for NHS resources than hospital services."

Over the next 12 months, FODO UK and NCHA have also announced they will be working through new strategic partnerships and increasing their public affairs work on the frontline. Members who wish to get more involved should email [email protected]. 

Sponsored professional certificates in glaucoma and medical retina

Optometrists in Wales can now apply for sponsored places on the following courses:

• Professional Certificate in Glaucoma  
• Professional Certificate in Medical Retina  

These start in September 2024. Use the links above to apply by 11.59pm on 5?June 2024.

College updates CMGs

The College has updated the following Clinical Management Guidelines (CMGs):

• Microbial keratitis (Acanthamoeba sp.) 
• Sub-tarsal foreign body (STFB) 

AI in ophthalmology

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has published a position statement on AI in ophthalmology. It sets out how ophthalmology, focusing on image analysis, is poised to benefit from AI through improved diagnostic accuracy, personalised treatment plans, and access to care. It also recognises the risks and costs of this new technology and, therefore, calls for greater investment in education and training and new safeguards. 

PCSE updates

Members in England should note the following PCSE updates:

• Changes to eGOS claim query XML on 12 June. NHS England invites PMS providers to test planned changes in the PCSE Online UAT environment from 27 May to Sunday 9 June. Read more.
• If you are having problems with an SSL error message in UAT and/or live environments, read this PCSE message.

Time to submit GOS complaints data

Members in England with a GOS contract must inform the NHS about the number of complaints received. Please review the NHSBSA process and submit your data online by 16 June.

Members can also contact [email protected] if you have any questions about the NHSBSA process. 

Hakim Group mentioned twice in Times Best Places to Work 2024 list

Hakim Group was mentioned twice in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024 list. The group featured in the medium organisations list, celebrating its vision of 'happiness and kindness'. It was also highly commended in the Spotlight Award as one of the best places to work for ethnic minorities.

Imran Hakim, CEO at Hakim Group, told Optician Online he was "immensely proud of this achievement, which highlights our dedication to our team members and our overarching mission - cultivating happiness whilst making a difference in every interaction." 

At a glance

• Royal College of Ophthalmologists has called for 382 additional ophthalmology training places by 2031 to help meet growing demand for eye care services across the UK. Read more.
• The RNIB's Sight Loss Data Tool collates a wide range of publicly available data and allows users to easily view local area reports for local authorities, health boards, regions or by country in different formats. The RNIB seeks feedback on the tool. Please consider participating by completing this short survey by 31 May.
• NICE has updated its technology appraisal guidance TA283 and TA298 to include procurement information about ranibizumab biosimilars.
• RNIB says that children with vision impairment are missing out on education. This follows its latest Freedom of Information research in Northern Ireland, which found that funding is not keeping up with the number of pupils with vision impairment who require specialist support.
• Buckingham Palace has informed Moorfields Eye Hospital, the world's oldest eye hospital, that His Majesty King Charles III will continue a royal tradition by becoming its new patron after the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Read more.

Health policy

Research by the Nuffield Trust indicates a significant increase in the number of patients now paying for hospital care out of pocket, without insurance coverage. The data also shows Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales getting closer to the levels of privately funded care in England. The think tank say record waiting lists is driving the trend, which risks worsening health inequalities as it moves more towards access based on ability to pay. 

HSJ reports that NHS England's analysis suggests there has been a 10% productivity drop. This decrease compares to NHS England's goal to improve productivity by 2% per year, and NHS funding and the workforce plan requiring significantly better performance for the NHS to be sustainable at current funding levels.
 
The Provider Selection Regime came into effect on 1 January 2024. It has now been tested via the Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel for the first time. The case involves an ICB using Direct Award Process C when the ICB should have used Direct Award Process B because patients had a legal right to a choice of provider. Helpfully, the panel set out how: "Commissioners must use Direct Award Process B to contract for all services where patients have a legal right to choose their provider, and Direct Award Process C is not available to commissioners in situations where Direct Award Process B must be used."  Members who have further questions about this can email [email protected].

Responding to a parliamentary question about sight testing services in special schools and confusion about engagement to date, Andrea Leadsom MP explained that the Department of Health and Social Care is already engaging with sector representatives via the agreed working process with OFNC.  
 
NHS England invites feedback on its updated NHS Oversight and Assessment Framework. The consultation closes on 13 June. FODO will review this on members' behalf. If you would like to be involved, please email [email protected].