News
Latest News
GOC Committee Recruitment
The GOC are recruiting for membership of their statutory committees. The closing date for applications is 7 October. For further details click here
Times Vision Supplement
To view the Times supplement on Vision (19/08/09) click here
NICE Glaucoma Guidelines
22 April 2009
NICE issued guidlines on the diagnosis and management of glaucoma on 14 April. To view the guidelines, click here
To view joint body advice and FAQs, click here
Vouchers at a Glance
23 March 2009
New voucher values for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland come into effect on 1 April 2009.
To download a pdf or order hard copies of of Vouchers at a Glance (hand held guide to voucher values, GOS sight test minimum intervals and early retest codes) click here
Clinical Governance, information requests, joint guidance
16 February, 2009
Many PCTs are requesting information on clinical governance from members.
To view guidance on contractual obligations, legal requirements and a suggested response, click here
Optics at a Glance published
6 February, 2009
FODO's Optics at a Glance 2008 is a key source of information about optometry, opticians, the optical market and services available to patients, for the year ending 31 March 2008.
To download Optics at a Glance 2008, click here
Don Grocott, new FODO President
30 January, 2009
to read the press release, click here
Sight Test Fee, POS Voucher payment, CET grant, Pre Reg Supervisor Allowance increases
21 January, 2009
Sight test fees have been set for three years:
1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009 - £19.80
1 April 2009 - 31 March 2010 - 2.3% increase
1 April 2010 - 31 March 2011 - 2.2% increase
Domiciliary sight test fees:
1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009 - £34.87 (first and second patients); £8.73 (third and subsequent patients)
1 April 2009 - 31 March 2010 - 2.3% increase
1 April 2010 - 31 March 2011 - 2.2% increase
Point of service payment for vouchers:
from 1 April 2008 - 5p (an increase of 1p)
Pre reg supervisors allowance:
1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009 - £2,950
CET grant:
2008 - £458 (to be claimed later in 2009)
All PCTs have been informed of these changes and you should receive the sight test fee payments, backdated to 1 April 2008, automatically.
VAT rate reduction from 1 December 2008
27 November, 2008
From Monday 1 December 2008 the standard rate of VAT will be reduced from 17.5% to 15%.
To download our guidance on the implications of the rate change for businesses, click here
GOS Contracts
To view joint guidance on managing the GOS contract (August 2008) click here
New NHS Computer Codes
5 September, 2008
As part of the computerisation of the NHS, NHS Connecting for Health are currently issuing site codes for all sites which offer NHS optical services in England and Wales.
For more information, click here
Model Practice Poster & Patient Information Leaflet
15 July
The Department of Health and Primary Care Contracting (PCC) have issued a model poster for display in practice premises. Practices can also produce their own version as long as it complies with the new contract regulations. To download click here
A model patient information leaflet for mobile services has also been issued. This is generic and can be downloaded and adapted. Providers can also produce their own version as long as it is compliant with the new contract regulations. To download click here
4 July 2008
For the latest joint body guidance, issued on the 4 July, on the transition to new contracts and for all other guidance, please click here
New GOS Contracts, Updated FAQs, 17 June
17 June 2008
For updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), guidance and regulations, please click here
New GOS Contracts, Updated FAQs and Guidance
3 June 2008
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and guidance, updated 2 June, click here
CET claims 2007, England
2 June 2008
The window for submitting claims for payment for CET undertaken in England in 2007 is 1 June - 31 August 2008.
To download the claim form or letter from the Department of Health to PCTs, click here.
New GOS Contracts in England
13 May 2008
- To view Department of Health guidance to PCTs on new GOS Contracts and the Performers List click here
- For updated joint body guidance, standard letters and frequently asked questions click here
Further Guidance on New GOS Contracts in England
6 May 2008
Further joint body guidance on the new GOS contracts in England has been drawn up.
To download click here
Transition to new GOS Contracts in England
15 April 2008
For a timetable and guidance on the transition to new GOS contracts in England click here
Vouchers at a Glance 2008-09
20 March 2008
FODO members can order Vouchers at a Glance guides for 1 April 2008 onwards here
New Voucher Values, 1 April 2008
7 March 2008
- The Department of Health has released the new voucher values, effective from 1 April 2008.
- The new voucher values have been confirmed for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
- to download the new voucher values for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland click here
World Conference on Optometric Globalisation
3 March, 2008
The second world conference on optometric globalisation will be held on 11 - 13 April 2008 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London.
- for information and booking details, click here
- to download the press release, click here
World Glaucoma Day, 6 March 2008
25 February, 2008
Campaigns and events on the first ever World Glaucoma Day on 6 March will raise awareness of glaucoma and the importance of early detection of the disease to prevent sight loss.
For more information, click here
Optics at a Glance 2007
14 December, 2007
FODO has published Optics at a Glance 2007 - the key source of information about optometry, opticians, the optical market and services available to patients.
To download a copy click here.
Fees Increase, England, 2007
1 November, 2007
The Fees increase of 2.5% in England for GOS sight tests, domiciliary fees and CET allowances will be backdated to 1 April 2007. PCTs will implement the increase and backdated payments automatically.
For more information, download the OFRC press release here
Irvine Aitchison Memorial Fund Bursaries 2008
7 September 2007
The competition is now open for two bursaries to enable dispensing or optometric students to join a Vision Aid Overseas group travelling to Africa for two weeks during the Summer of 2008. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 26 October 2007.
For information on eligibility and an application form, click here
Which Report - Testing the testers
30 August 2007
The optical bodies have responded to the Which? magazine (September issue)report of a survey it commisioned on 39 sight tests.
To view the joint optical bodies' press release click here
To view the GOC press release click here
To view the College of Optometrists' statement click here
RNIB Eye Test Action Day - 12 September 2007
23 August 2007
The aim of the RNIB campaign this year is to increase understanding of the importance of eye health and the take up of regular sight tests, focussing on people aged 60 and over.
For information and details of how to order Action Day posters and leaflets please click here
NOC & LOC Training Day, October 2007
8 August 2007
For information on the National Optometric Conference (NOC) 24 - 25 October 2007 and to book click here
For information on the LOC Training day organised by the LOC Central Support Unit, 25-26 October 2007 and to book click here
LOC Support Unit Newsletter
1 June 2007
To download the June 2007 LOC Newsletter from the LOC Support Unit, click here
Vouchers at a Glance 2007-8
22 March 2007
The new voucher values come into effect on 1 April 2007 (see news item below). Vouchers at a Glance 2007-8, a pocket guide which many practices find useful, has been sent to all FODO members.
To order further copies or to download a pdf version, click here
LOC Central Support Unit approved
16 March 2007
LOC representatives voted in support of the establishment of an LOC Central Support Unit at a special meeting of the National Optometric Conference on 15 March.
To view the proposed resolution, click here
To view the FODO, ABDO and AOP joint statement on the outcome, click here
Voucher Values, April 2007
7 March 2007
On 2 March, The Department of Health announced the voucher values for the year 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008. The new values will apply to England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
To download click here
GOS Activity Statistics: England and Wales, April - September 2006
6 March 2007
On 2 March 2007 The Information Centre for Health and Social Care, Ophthalmic Statistics, published General Opthalmic Services: Activity Statistics for England and Wales: April - September 2006.
To download, click here
For more information on the Information Centre website, click here
A Fundamental Right to Sight
6 March, 2007
A Fundamental Right to Sight has been published by FODO, ABDO, the AOP and the College of Optometrists. It describes the domiciliary eye care service, patients' needs for it and the way in which it is delivered.
To download A Fundamental Right to Sight click here
National Optometric Conference (NOC) Special Meeting, 15 March 2007
21 February 2007
A special meeting of the NOC will be held at 199 Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6LD at 7pm on Thursday 15 March 2007 to consider a resolution approving the establishment of an LOC Central Support Unit.
Each LOC will have one vote and all members of the profession and representatives of optical businesses are invited to attend.
Regulation of Health Professionals
21 February 2007
The Government has published a White Paper on professional regulation today, 21 February 2007.
For more information and to download Trust, Assurance and Safety - The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century click here
To read the optical bodies' joint response, click here
Clinical Governance Framework
19 February 2007
To download the FODO, ABDO, AOP and College of Optometrists' Standard Responses to PCT / Health Board enquiries regarding clinical governance and Servioce level Agreements, click here
9 February 2007
Quality in Optometry - a new clinical governance framework for optometry, has been published.
To download, click here
To view the dedicated website, click here
LOC Roadshows 2007
30 January 2007
The 2007 LOC Roadshows are taking place across the country, starting in London on 31 January and finishing in Oxford on 5 March.
To view the list of dates and venues of the LOC Roadshows, click here
To view the LOC Roadshows 2007 newsletter, click here
For further information or to book a place, see the Association of Optometrists website: www.aop.org.uk
A special NOC meeting will be held at 6.30pm for 7pm on Thursday 15 March at 199 Gloucester Terrace, London W2
CET Payments, Wales
25 January, 2007
The mechanism for issuing payments in Wales to optometrists and OMPs for continuing education and training undertaken in 2004-05 has been agreed.
For more information, click here
GOS Review Findings
17 January 2007
Rosie Winterton MP announced the findings of the GOS Review on 17 January.
The download General Ophthalmic Services Review - Findings click here.
To download Commissioning Toolkit for Community-Based Eye Care Services, click here
To download the Department of Health press release, click here
Optics at a Glance 2006
12 January 2007
FODO has published the 26th annual edition of Optics at a Glance - a key source of information about optometry, opticians, the optical market and services available to patients.
To download Optics at a Glance, click here.
To read the press release, click here
Retention Forms for Registrants, GOC
8 December 2006
The GOC sent out application forms for all full registrants on 8 December 2006. The deadline for receipt of forms and payments is 15 March 2007.
For more information read the GOC press release here
GOS Fees Increase
30 November 2006
The Department of Health wrote to all PCTs / Health Boards on 30 November 2006 to announce an increase of 2.5% in GOS fees.
The new fees are:
- sight test fee = £18.85 (backdated to 1 April 2006)
- domiciliary fee for each of the first and second patients seen at one visit = £33.19 (backdated to 1 April 2006)
- domiciliary fee for each of the third and subsequent patients seen at one visit = £8.31 (backdated to 1 April 2006)
- CET allowance for 2006 = £436 (to be claimed in 2007)
- pre-registration trainers grant in 2006-07 = £2,665
For more information read the Optometric Fees Review Committee press release here
FODO Business Plan
20 November 2006
FODO has published a new business plan following its Council meeting on 7 November 2006. It sets out FODO's ethos, beliefs and methods of working and the five work programmes which FODO delivers on behalf of its members and the wider profession.
To download the business plan click here
To read the press release click here
Eye Health Alliance
27 November 2006
The Eye Health Alliance promoted the importance of eye health to healthcare professions at the NHS Alliance annual conference on 23-24 November 2006.
For more information click here
Ophthalmic Statistics
The Information Centre for Health and Social Care published the lastest ophthalmic statistics on 24 October 2006.
To follow the link click here
Health Act 2006
FODO has welcomed the publication of the Health Act 2006 and the Government's acknowledgement of the importance of eye health for all. The Government's commitment that eye care services will continue to improve is crucial to ensure that all groups in society, especially vulnerable groups such as children and older people, receive high quality care to maximise their potential and wellbeing throughout their lives.
To view the Health Act 2006 in full click here
To view the explanatory note to the Act click here
