Responding to this afternoon’s Spring Statement by Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, Federation of (Ophthalmic and Dispensing) Opticians (FODO) Chief Executive David Hewlett, said: “Growth in the economy is always welcome news for health care. We also welcome the Chancellor’s promise to eliminate the ‘scourge’ of late payments. Let
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FODO CET Sessions at Optrafair
FODO is running three CET sessions at this year’s Optrafair (14-16 April) in Birmingham, where also be exhibiting. These are shown below: The Duty of Candour and How to Apply it in Routine Practice Saturday Saturday 14 April, 11.45 – 12.45 PEER DISCUSSION Leader: Richard Edwards Details: Following publication
OFNC seeking NHS eReferral grant for optical practices
The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) has been in negotiations with NHS England to secure funding to provide IT connectivity between optical practices in England and the rest of the NHS. It had been hoped that this could come from an underspend elsewhere in primary care which has been widely
Short Interview with new BCLA President Keith Tempany
FODO’s James Turner spoke recently to Keith Tempany about his priorities as the new BCLA President after the organisation recently moved into its new home at Gloucester Terrace, joining FODO, the FMO and ABDO. Here’s what Keith had to say… James: “Hello Keith and a warm welcome from FODO
Optical Confederation and LOCSU response to Capita profit warning
The Optical Confederation, of which FODO is an active member, and LOCSU has said the Government and NHS England “must prepare to step in” if Capita continues to let down NHS primary care contractors. This follows Capita’s profit warning and share price drop on 31 January 2018. Optical Confederation Chair,
Winners of the Irvine Aitchison Memorial Fund announced
The two bursary winners of the Irvine Aitchison Memorial Fund (IAMF) which supports students to work with Vision Aid overseas have been announced. Huma Batha, 20, from City University and Asad Javed, 21, from the University of Bradford have been picked and will be heading off to Africa next summer
FODO signs Optical Confederation letter calling on NHS England to take urgent action to address Capita failures
FODO has today signed an Optical Confederation letter (Monday 22 January 2018) written to Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, calling for urgent action to address the ongoing failure of Capita to fulfil their contractual obligations. The letter highlights the “utter frustration, dissatisfaction and anger” at the continuing failure
Data protection law in the UK is changing – essential, new advice for those working in the optical sector
New data protection laws which come into force in the UK on 25 May 2018 – will impact the optical sector. To help those working in the sector, the Optical Confederation, of which FODO is an active member, has published an initial guide to these important changes, aimed at optical
FODO welcome updated NICE glaucoma guideline supporting greater role for optometrists
Updated guidance published today by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), ‘Glaucoma diagnosis and management’, clarifies the role optometrists can play in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma patients. Welcoming the new guidance, FODO Chief Executive, David Hewlett, said: “This updated guideline is extremely helpful. The updated
New cataracts guidance for the NHS will improve patient care
FODO welcomes the new NICE guideline ‘Cataracts in adults: management’, which represents an important step in improving patient care and outcomes in the NHS. Commenting on the new guideline, FODO Chief Executive David Hewlett said: “This guideline helpfully summarises the longstanding views of clinicians and professional bodies and should help