Domiciliary Eyecare - sight tests at home

FODO's Domiciliary Eyecare Committee represents the majority of providers of residential eyecare services. The committee is chaired by Jayne Rawlinson (pictured) and has representation from both AOP, ABDO and the College of Optometrists.

If you are looking for registered opticians or domiciliary providers of eyecare at home, contact your local Primary Care Trust here.

The Domiciliary Eyecare Committee has produced a single form for pre-notification of visits which aims to simplify the process following the recent legislative changes.

The new single form (updated Feb 2006) is available here.

The Code of Practice for Domiciliary Eyecare, which has been relaunched following advice from the Department of Health, is available here.

Guidance on the new listing arrangements published jointly with AOP and ABDO is available to download here.

Guidance on equipment for use in mobile (domiciliary) ophthalmic services for providers, practitioners, PCTs, Local Health Boards and Local and Area Optometric Committees, is available here

Any practioners wishing to enquire about FODO's domiciliary committee should email us.

A campaign to push for greater awareness of the service called Older Eyes was launched last December.

NEW DRIVE FOR ELDERLY EYE CARE

Opticians and optometrists launched Older Eyes last December. A new NHS-backed campaign aimed at increasing awareness to the importance of eye care for elderly people unable to travel to an optician, it was set up by FODO's Domiciliary Eyecare Committee.

Who is behind this?
Older Eyes is backed by Age Concern, Help The Aged, the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and run by the professional bodies who represent the major opticians businesses and optometrists across the UK: the Federation of Ophthalmic & Dispensing Opticians (FODO) and the Association of Optometrists (AOP).

 
What are the aims of Older Eyes?
To inform people that sight improves quality of life and most not be overlooked. The campaign aims raise the take-up of domiciliary eye tests – examinations given to those elderly or infirmed who cannot attend a high street optician. It follows the launch of the Domiciliary Eyecare Code of Practice on Tuesday December 7. Click here to view the Code. 

How many people really do need eye tests in their own homes?
NHS figures show that under 300,000 domiciliary eye tests were carried out last year even though demand exceeds one million. It means that many older eyes could be suffering. The Code outlines what patients should expect and and states how contractors must operate.

Why do we need a code of practice?
So that those vilnerable people who need the service can rest assured that they are being seen by qualified opticians with the correct levels of training and specialised equipment. Also, it also aims to put an end to inducements or bribes that occur in return for contracts to serve care homes. NHS services should be provided in an open and fairly competitive way where quality is the sole driver.

SUPPORT FOR OLDER EYES:

Gordon Lishman, Director General, Age Concern England said: "This is a very welcome initiative.  Many older people who are isolation, or have limited mobility have poor access to services such as eye tests, chiropody and dentistry. This is a positive step to offer increased support to older people most in need."

Jim Gee, Chief Executive of the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service, said: "The new codes mean that patients will receive high quality care when and where they need it. Not only will this benefit patients and the optical profession but it illustrates the commitment of FODO and the AOP to cutting fraud in the NHS. Both organisations have provided the NHS CFSMS with a high level of support over the last six years and we look forward to working very closely with them in the future."
 
Anita Lightstone, Head of Low Vision and eye Health, the RNIB said: RNIB are pleased that FODO and AOP have produced a code of practice and support this move in developing good domiciliary eye care. Regular sight tests are vital for everyone to help detect eye diseases and especially for older people who are more likely to develop them. This is of course equally important for people who are house-bound and unable to visit their local optician for a sight test."

Margaret Fletcher, Director of UK Operations, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers said: “Carers have many things to worry about and often regular medical appointments can be something they find difficult to keep track of.  The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is encouraged by efforts to bring greater awareness to eye examinations for those unable to leave their homes.”

Brian Collison, Chairman of FODO—the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians said: “We represent the leading UK optical chains and there is no higher priority than public awareness of the importance of eye care. This campaign comes at a time when sensitivity to care for the elderly is at its highest and we want to assert the point that ethics and patient care must always come first.”

For any further information contact

Older Eyes Campaign, FODO, 199 Gloucester Terrace, London, W2 6LD
Tel: 020 7298 5153
Fax: 020 7298 5111
Email: anne@fodo.com