FODO chief executive David Hewlett describes the key elements of optical insurance and defence as the optical body takes measures to increase its indemnity cover. As reported last week, FODO has kicked off the New Year by informing their members that, from this month, they will benefit from a doubling
News
NHS Long Term Plan
FODO has welcomed the NHS long term plan (published 7 January 2019). It does not directly impact on GOS (with the possible exception of service to care homes) and there is much that community optics, ophthalmology and hearing services can get behind: reforming outpatients and moving care out of hospitals
Medical devices in the news
Over the last few days there has been a lot of coverage in the media – including Panorama on BBC1 on Monday 26 November – about how medical devices are poorly regulated and the danger they pose to patients. This story is being pursued by journalists in a large number
FODO RESPONDS TO AUTUMN BUDGET 2018
In his Budget statement on Monday 29 October the Chancellor, Philip Hammond declared the “the era of austerity is finally coming to an end” reflecting what the Prime Minister had told the Conservative Party Conference on 3 October. It was also the pre-Brexit budget but may need to be revised
Guidance on record keeping – statement by the Optical Confederation and College of Optometrists
The Optical Confederation has received a number of enquiries about guidance issued by some NHS regions and LOCs regarding record keeping. While we understand and share the desire to improve standards, this is not, in our opinion, the way to achieve improvement. Any local guidance should simply direct people towards
Professional Duty of Candour – new FODO CET packs available for members
Following on from our successful workshop at Optrafair earlier this year, we are delighted to now make available this new peer discussion CET pack on the Professional Duty of Candour, which has been approved for 3 GOC CET credits for both optometrists and dispensing opticians. This training will enable participants
Vouchers at a Glance 2018 – Updated June 2018 Edition
FODO, on behalf of the Optical Confederation, has published an updated edition of ‘Vouchers at a Glance’. The earlier April 2018 edition provided the recommended minimum sight test intervals for people with diabetes, as given in the College of Optometrists’ guidance. This differs slightly from the intervals agreed with NHS
More high street eye services will reduce avoidable blindness
The Optical Confederation, of which FODO is an active member, today called on health chiefs to take to take immediate action to end delays and reduce avoidable sight loss. This echoed the call made today by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Eye Health and Visual Impairment for urgent action
NHS England pilot new post payment verification system
The Optical Confederation, of which FODO is an active member, is working with NHS England and the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to develop a new method of post payment verification (PPV) of GOS claims. NHS England and the NHSBSA are piloting this new PPV method in Wessex, West Yorkshire
FODO Chair Lynda Oliver re-elected for second three-year term
FODO Chair Lynda Oliver (Outside Clinic) was unanimously re-elected for a further three years at the FODO Annual General Meeting in London today. Paul Carroll (Specsavers Optical Group); Stephen Hannan (Optical Express); William Stockdale (Optimise); and Giles Smith (Haines & Smith Opticians) were also re-elected as Directors, having stood again