08 November 2024

FODO member update - 8 November

This week:

• FODO membership and insurance update
• NHSE issues details on bidding for new SEND service
• Primary Care Support England outage
• Red tape challenge in England
• Welsh CMO issues mpox alert
• Wales releases ophthalmology patients' waiting data
• Scotland launches UK's first MOptom (IP) qualification
• Key facts show more optometrists in Northern Ireland 
• At a glance
• Policy updates

FODO membership and insurance update

As we approach 2025 renewal, we hope to report on lower premiums (passed straight on to members) from January 2025 as a favourable outcome in insurance negotiations this year. We intend to share the final details by the end of November and hope this will be welcome news. 

NHSE issues details on bidding for new SEND service

NHS England has released market engagement webinar dates where potential providers can learn how to bid on sight testing and dispensing and dental checks in special educational settings.
 
NHSE's latest prior information notice published the dates for discussing contracting  
 
They include:

• North West, North East and Yorkshire - 26 November, 1-2pm
• London and South East - 27 November, 1-2pm
• South West - 3 December, 1-2pm
• East of England and Midlands - 5 December, 12-1pm  

To register an interest, visit:
NHS Sight Testing and Dental Checks in Special Educational Settings - Find a Tender.
 
Read more. 

Primary Care Support England outage

PCSE Online will be unavailable during the following periods this weekend to allow time for due to its annual disaster recovery testing programme:

• From 6pm on 8 November to 9am on 9 November
• From 6am to 12 pm on 10 November

If you cannot access PCSE Online over the weekend, please follow the Business Continuity Guidance for Ophthalmic Contractors (available here).  

Red tape challenge in England

NHS England and the NHS Confederation are conducting an engagement exercise in response to the Government's 'Red Tape Challenge'. It aims to tackle unnecessary bureaucracy across NHS care providers.

The five working groups will cover the following areas:

• Workforce, training and education
• Digital, data and technology
• Medicines and prescribing
• Contractual and financial flow
• Metrics to show improvement

FODO is working with its optical partners to ensure the sector covers all the groups and essential areas. High on our list will be a suggestion to end unnecessary and inequitable pre-visit notifications (PVNs) for domiciliary appointments.

If you have any suggestions, please email [email protected]. 

Welsh CMO issues mpox alert

Public Health Wales has advised providers to update their high consequence infectious diseases (HCID) action cards due to the first case of mpox being identified in England.
 
Although the overall risk level for the UK is low, Public Health Wales has developed a series of action cards to support national preparedness activities. The cards also provide information on local pathways, guidance and protocols within NHS organisations and primary care.
 
Providers in Wales should update their HCID action cards using the NHS Wales version, ensuring they align with the principles from the Advisory Committee for Dangerous Pathogens. They should also follow the listed preparedness actions and ensure their colleagues know the information and guidance.
 
Visit the Healthcare Associated Infection, Antimicrobial Resistance & Prescribing Programme website for resources.
 
All providers should follow this government guidance. 

Wales releases ophthalmology patients' waiting data

The Welsh Government has released monthly data on new and follow-up ophthalmology outpatients.

It shows the number of patients in Wales waiting within or up to 25% beyond the target date at the end of each month. If the target date is missed, patients are at risk of irreversible harm or significant adverse outcomes (Health Risk Factor R1). 

Scotland launches UK's first MOptom (IP) qualification

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) has launched the UK's first integrated optometry and independent prescribing MOptom (IP) qualification. It means students can register as IP optometrists when they complete their undergraduate training.
 
The launch of the GOC-approved master's degree programme brings several years of ambitious planning between the university, NHS Education for Scotland and the Scottish Government to a close. Read more. 

Key facts show more optometrists in Northern Ireland

The Business Services Organisation has published Northern Ireland's Quarterly Family Practitioner Services (FPS) General Ophthalmic Statistics.
 
At quarter-end September 2024, optometrists and OMPs increased by 1.0%, while eye tests decreased by 1.3%. Repairs and replacements rose by 2.3%. Download the data. 

At a glance

• Antonia Chitty is stepping down from her position as head of communications and IT at ABDO, which she held for six years. Read more.
• A Specsavers/YouGov survey in Wales shows that 68% of people with sudden eye issues would not visit an optician first. Lead optometrist Amy Driscoll called on people with eye issues to visit opticians to take the pressure off GPs. Watch the ITV News video.
• New rules regarding Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) came into effect on 30 October 2024 and will be introduced in the Finance Bill 2025. Read more.

Policy updates

Kemi Badenoch's first frontbench appointments as Conservative Party leader included former justice minister Edward Agar, who became shadow health secretary. Health secretary Wes Streeting congratulated Mr Agar, calling his appointment "the best job in opposition".

HMRC has listed the tax changes from the Autumn Budget 2024. They include adjustments to National Insurance contributions and thresholds, capital gains tax for business Asset Disposal Relief and Investors' Relief, and new legislation requiring agencies to handle PAYE payments for workers using umbrella companies.  Read more.