31 January 2025

FODO member update - 31 January

This week:

• OFNC co-hosts parliamentary event with primary care professions
• Time to "go for broke" says England's top doctor
• BBC discusses Boots' Optomap rollout
• Changes at the OCCS
• Scottish firm suggests AI could tackle eye care waiting list
• GOC to move to new Canary Wharf offices
• At a glance
• Policy news

OFNC co-hosts parliamentary event with primary care professions

The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) joined the British Dental Association, British Medical Association, Community Pharmacy England and the Association for Primary Care Audiology Providers to host a 'Future of Primary Care' drop-in event in Parliament.

At the event, the professions had the opportunity to speak to 40 MPs about the services they provide and specific asks to the government that will ensure a long-term sustainable future for primary care in the NHS. Read more. 

Time to "go for broke" says England's top doctor

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, has warned that without action, the NHS could not cope with future demand in a sustainable way. He asserted that half the population would visit A&E every year by 2034 if care is not moved out of hospital and closer to people's homes. He said the NHS "must go for broke in moving care from hospital to community" to tackle this scenario. Read more. 

BBC discusses Boots' Optomap rollout

The Optician reports on Boots' rollout of Optomap across 120 practices. Kyle Rowe, managing director at Boots Opticians, told the Optician that the innovative technology could "give a more accurate picture of their health, detecting early signs of many serious health conditions". He added that it was "transformative in terms of empowering patients to be able to make more informed decisions about their overall health".
 
John Hopcroft, clinical lead at Boots Opticians, joined AOP director Peter Hampson on BBC In Touch (9 min in) to discuss the benefits of using advanced diagnostics like Optomap in primary eye care settings.

Changes at the OCCS

Richard Edwards will retire in March. In his announcement, he also said he would simultaneously retire from the GOC register and step down as a clinical adviser to the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS). Paul Chapman-Hatchett will succeed Richard at the OCCS following a transition period. Read more.

Scottish firm suggests AI could tackle eye care waiting list

Researchers at the universities of Edinburgh and Dundee have shared how they believe AI could optimise hospital referrals. Professor Emanuele Trucco, co-founder of Eye to the Future, told FUTURESCOT that "only 24% of NHS eye units currently believe they have enough consultants to meet demand". He added that the AI software researchers have created could help optometrists reduce the number of patients referred to hospital. Read more.   

GOC to move to new Canary Wharf offices

The General Optical Council is moving on 24 March to new, smaller office space at One Canada Square in Canary Wharf. Chief executive and registrar Leonie Milliner said the workspace offered "an improved, fully accessible working environment". The space on the 29^th floor has a high-spec hearing room for remote and in-person FtP hearings. Read more. 

At a glance

• Lanarkshire residents are urged to use the local eye health network service for urgent eye care conditions rather than visit GP practices, pharmacists or hospital emergency departments. Read more.
• The GOC has approved the third specialist qualifications output of the Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE), entitled Enhancing the scope of practice in optical professionals. Learn more.

Policy news

NHS England and government flag challenging decisions ahead
 
NHS England has published its planning guidance for 2025/26. FODO has summarised key points for members here. If you have any questions about what this might mean for primary eye care, please email [email protected].
 
NI Dept of Health consults on Help with Health costs
 
The Department of Health in Northern Ireland is consulting on potential changes to the Help with Health Costs scheme. The scheme helps to reduce the cost of sight tests, vision correction and other essential services. The consultation outlines potential changes to eligibility criteria for automatic support for people on low incomes. FODO will work with sector partners and Optometry Northern Ireland on how best to respond on the sector's behalf. Please email [email protected] with any questions.
 
Scottish Govt pledges to protect, strengthen and renew the NHS
 
The First Minister John Swinney has set out plans to increase NHS capacity in Scotland to reduce waiting times and pressure on frontline services, including increasing investment in primary care.
 
Welsh Conservatives challenge "unacceptable" ophthalmology waiting lists
 
The Welsh Conservatives leader has criticised the "unacceptable" ophthalmology waiting lists. Darren Millar shared examples of how local people are experiencing long waits for the hospital eye service and remain at risk of avoidable sight loss. Read more.