09 August 2024

FODO member update - 9 August

This week:

• Untreated sight loss ‘a risk factor for dementia'
• Eye specialists promote new web-based visual field check
• AI assistant deployed in post-cat op follow-up
• ABDO gains GOC approval for apprenticeship programme
• GCU first to offer integrated qualification
• PCSE updates
• At a glance
• Health policy

Untreated sight loss 'a risk factor for dementia'

The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care has included vision loss as a potentially modifiable risk factor after considerable new evidence emerged. Read more. 

Eye specialists promote new web-based visual field check

Eye specialists at Cambridge University Hospitals have developed a web-based solution that they say can help accurately classify mild, moderate, and severe glaucomatous ?eld defects. The Glaucoma Field Defect Classi?er application and source code are hosted online for clinicians and researchers. Read more. 

AI assistant deployed in post-cat op follow-up

The BBC reports on a study into Dora, an automated voice system that uses AI to call patients, ask questions, interpret answers and identify those who need to be seen by a clinician. It notes that Frimley Health NHS Trust has saved more than 530 hours of nursing time since introducing the Dora system in December 2022. 

ABDO gains GOC approval for apprenticeship programme

The GOC has approved ABDO to begin delivering its Level 6 Dispensing Optician Apprenticeship from September 2024. The GOC has also given ABDO approval to deliver a new diploma in contact lens practice syllabus. 

GCU first to offer integrated qualification

The GOC has announced that Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) will be the first to deliver an integrated optometry and independent prescribing qualification under the GOC's new education and training requirements. Students starting in September 2024 can earn a Master of Optometry with Independent Prescribing. Read more. 

PCSE updates

PCSE's latest update covers planned changes to user registration and GOS 3 processing, a reminder that locums must sign their own GOS forms, rejected HC5 claims, and a notification that the CPD claims window is open. 

At a glance

• The latest GOS data for Northern Ireland shows that 628 optometrists across 266 practices provided 117,122 sight tests in the last quarter.
• The latest RTT data for ophthalmology in England shows that 610,276 patients were waiting for an ophthalmology appointment in June, with 66% of patients seen within 18 weeks.
• Ophthalmology waiting times data for Wales shows that people continue to wait beyond their target date, placing them at risk of irreversible harm or significant adverse outcomes. Read more.
• Healthwatch asks patients to complete a short survey about whether they are getting help to prevent or deal with sight problems. Members in England are encouraged to share the survey with patients.
• The College of Optometrists has updated its glaucoma, ocular hypertension and steroid ocular hypertension and glaucoma Clinical Management Guidelines.
• Optometry Scotland invites applications from three independent representatives to join its team. Read more and apply.
• College publishes CPD countdown checklist.
• Anglia Ruskin University graduates Nitin Verma and Argiro Parathyra have won the FODO Award for best overall performance in the optometry degree 2024. Read more.
• AOP and FODO have announced that the Sector Educational Forum will close, with work transferred to the Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE) and other groups that lead on educational issues.
• SPOKE has published guidance on managing assessment anxiety to support students through objective structured clinical examinations
• The AOP has appointed Dr Peter Hampson as clinical and policy director. Read more.
• Tompkins Knight & Son has published a book introducing eye care to children in a fun way. Read more in Optician.
• The AOP has published an animation and resources to promote optometrists' role in eye health. The launch follows the College of Optometrists video from 2000 and the College 'look after your eyes' website, which includes similar information.
• LOCSU: Save the date for regional optical conferences.
• The Royal Society of Medicine has appointed Professor Julia Manning as its next dean of education. Read more.
• Ex-BBC journalist with AMD launches podcast. Read more.
• The new curriculum for doctors in the seven-year ophthalmic specialist training programme begins today, ready for the start of the new training year. Read more.

Health policy

• Mark Drakeford was appointed the new Welsh health secretary after Eluned Morgan became first minister. Sky News reports he will hold the position on an interim basis. Read more.
• Wes Streeting, secretary of state for health and social care, accepted recommendations from the NHS Pay Review Body, the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration and the Senior Salaries Review Body. Read more.
• Pharmacies report growing pressure due to chronic NHS underfunding. Read more.
• IHPN reports that patients in England can benefit from patient choice, cutting months off their wait for care. Read more.
• The GMC warns that doctors are struggling to meet needs and are at risk of burnout. Read more.