17 January 2025

FODO member update – 17 January

This week:

• College calls for your input on AI in eye care
• NIH study signals sustained benefit from myopia control
• Provider Selection Regime guidance published in Wales
• Government gives go-ahead to selling over-the-counter hearing aids
• At a glance
• Policy news

College calls for your input on AI in eye care

The College of Optometrists is calling on the profession to share insights on using AI in eye care. Your feedback will inform the College's input to this year's AI and Eye Healthcare Summit, where the sector will create a shared vision for the safe, ethical, and equitable use of AI in eye care. Learn more. 

NIH study signals sustained benefit from myopia control

A National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded study reports that children who used myopia control lenses continued to benefit after they stopped wearing them as teenagers. The NIH sets out how controlling myopia progression could "help to potentially decrease the risks of vision-threatening myopia complications later in life, such as retinal detachment and glaucoma". Read more. 

Provider Selection Regime guidance published in Wales

The Welsh Government has updated its draft Provider Selection Regime (PSR) regulation. The PSR will form the new regime for procuring health services on behalf of the NHS in Wales. The draft statutory guidance explains how the PSR will apply to primary eye care services. FODO will continue to work with Optometry Wales and other sector partners to analyse the draft guidance. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. 

Government gives go-ahead to selling over-the-counter hearing aids

Update for FODO members providing audiology services: The government has published a press release and policy paper on how patients will be able to access self-fitting hearing devices in the UK alongside existing regulations. If you are a FODO member and want to learn more about what this means for your practice, please contact our audiology policy team at [email protected]. 

At a glance

• Newmedica calls for collaboration with optometry, Optician reports
• BBC reports on a new "one-stop" AMD treatment facility opening in Kettering
• New AI Ambassador Network is holding its inaugural meeting on 22 Jan 2025. Learn more
• The Moorfields charity and RNIB celebrated World Braille Day earlier this month. The annual event marks the birthday of Louis Braille, who invented the accessible system.

Policy news

• NHS England has confirmed Adam Memon as its new director of strategy. Mr Memon was previously a special adviser to Jeremy Hunt at the Department of Health and Social Care and has also held posts at the CMA and HM Treasury.
• The Guardian reports that the Centre of Health and Public Interest said Wes Streeting was talking "utter nonsense" about how the independent sector could support the NHS. Mr Streeting has hit back, saying that independent healthcare has additional capacity to help reduce NHS pressures. He added that the government is committed to ending the two-tier system where those who can pay are seen sooner in the private sector.