22 November 2024

FODO member update – 22 November

This week:

• FODO insurance 2025
• Primary eye care backs the government's three big shifts
• OFNC meeting with minister of state for care
• NHS red tape challenge extended
• Primary eye care providers hit by budget
• At a glance
• Policy news

FODO insurance 2025

Following our 8 November update, FODO is now in the final round of negotiating medical malpractice and legal defence insurance for 2025. We hope to secure a meaningful reduction in insurance costs for members shortly. As members only pay what it costs us, we'll pass any reduction in insurance costs directly to you. We will write to you next week with details about the 2025 fees.

Meanwhile, if not already done so, could practice owner members please submit FTE data as soon as possible. If you have any questions, email [email protected] or call us on 020 7298 5151.

Primary eye care backs the government's three big shifts

ABDO, The College of Optometrists and FODO have backed the government's three big shifts for the NHS in England: hospital to community, analogue to digital and sickness to prevention. In a joint statement, the organisations committed to working together to advance primary eye care services and help end avoidable sight loss due to delays in hospital care.

OFNC meeting with minister of state for care

The OFNC has met the minister, Stephen Kinnock MP, at the Department of Health and Social Care, and officials from DHSC and NHSE.

It explained to the minister and his team that the GOS fee in England does not cover delivery costs and that it's vital to fund GOS fairly. Doing so will secure the out-of-hospital infrastructure the NHS needs to meet growing needs.

The OFNC also made the case for a nationwide rollout of CUES to reduce pressure on GPs and hospitals and the need for a sustainable IT connectivity solution to enable further system benefits.

Mr Kinnock said: "Primary eye care has an important role to play as we move the focus of care from hospitals to the community through our 10 Year Health Plan. It was good to meet with the OFNC to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, and I look forward to working with them going forward as we build a health service fit for the future."

Read the OFNC statement.

NHS red tape challenge extended

As reported on 8 November, the NHS is responding to the government's 'red tape challenge' to tackle unnecessary bureaucracy by conducting an engagement exercise response.

Thank you to members who have contacted us to flag opportunities to cut red tape and costs. We will share these with the NHS. The consultation process has been extended, and clinical and non-clinical colleagues are now invited to share their feedback by completing this short survey. You can also share feedback and send examples of good practice directly to [email protected]. The deadline for submitting views and ideas is 16 December 2024.

Primary eye care providers hit by budget

FODO members have informed us of the budget's significant impact on primary eye care across the UK. 

The operating environment will become more challenging due to planned increases in employers' national insurance contributions, living wage increases affecting all pay scales, and a probable rise in business rates. This outcome heightens the risk of increased inflation and greater uncertainty around interest rates.

As a result, primary eye care providers and many other organisations are understandably concerned that recent announcements will affect their costs and consumer spending.

FODO asks members to share details on the likely financial impact of these changes on practices so that we can build an evidence base to present as part of annual NHS fee discussions. Please email [email protected] if you can estimate how reforms will economically affect your practice(s).

At a glance

• NHS England has confirmed that optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans will be part of the out-of-hospital diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) programme. Four million people are registered with the NHS DRS and the scans will be available to around 60,000 higher-risk patients. The NHS hopes this will save up to 120,000 hospital appointments each year.
• Guernsey partners with Newmedica to reduce waiting times.

Policy news

• The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed who will lead the 10 Year Health Plan working groups. Of the 11 working groups, four will consider the future vision of the NHS, and seven will consider areas that need to change to enable that vision. FODO will be working with sector partners and members to engage with key working groups on behalf of eye care in England.

• The Health and Social Care Committee has now confirmed 11 members.

• Health and Care Scotland reports that the Scottish Government's flagship policy to establish a National Care Service (NCS) has hit another hurdle, with many vital stakeholders raising concerns. Further consultation on the legislation for an NCS has been postponed until the new year and parliament may not approve it before the 2026 election.

• The Professional Standards Authority published its view on a Common Code of Conduct for Health and Care Professionals. It covers the benefits of the code but suggests that the cost currently outweighs the benefits. Regulators issuing joint statements could help achieve the right balance.