21 April 2023

FODO member update – 21 April

This week:

• Patient eye care benefit to increase by 4.5% in Scotland
• Government promotes primary care glaucoma service
• The sad passing of Brian Collison
• Take part in GOC standards review
• FODO strategy 2023-26
• Other news
• Health policy updates

Patient eye care benefit to increase by 4.5% in Scotland

The Scottish Government has recognised the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on patients who depend on NHS support for vision correction. It will increase NHS voucher support from 1 June 2023. This will mean patients in Scotland receive the same level of support as in England.  You can access new voucher values on pages 5-7 of the latest PCA. FODO will update vouchers at a glance Scotland for 1 June 2023. 

Government promotes primary care glaucoma service

The Scottish Government is promoting the benefits of care closer to home by celebrating that, 'thousands of patients will be cared for at their local community optometry practice rather than in the hospital as part of a new NHS community glaucoma service'.
 
FODO has previously reported on the new glaucoma service, but this latest stage marks the service rollout to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The service will see lower risk glaucoma or treated ocular hypertension safely cared for in primary eye care settings. The change will help reduce pressure on hospitals and means people do not have to travel as far for care.

Public health minister Jenni Minto said: "Scotland is regarded as a world leader in community eye care service provision. We are the only country in the UK to provide free universal NHS-funded eye examinations, and our investment in community optometry services has helped reduce the burden on GPs and secondary care services.
 
"I am very pleased to celebrate the launch of this new flagship NHS Community Glaucoma Service in Glasgow and look forward to seeing more patients across the country benefiting from the rollout." 

Important note for members in Scotland. Please read the latest PCA in full to ensure you are up to date with the plans to roll out the new glaucoma service.

The sad passing of Brian Collison

It is with greatest sadness that FODO has learned of the death of long-time FODO member and former chair, Brian Collison.  
 
David Hewlett, FODO Director, said: "Brian was a force of nature in eye care, an ex-rugby player who understood strategy, tactics and when to push forward. He was an outstanding contact lens optician who successfully built up the family business, Thomas H. Collison Limited. As FODO chair, he was a model of kindness and consideration who lightened even the most difficult of meetings with his acute sense of humour and generosity of spirit. Many of us will miss him as a colleague and as a friend."  
 
Director of regulatory affairs Alan Tinger said: "Without Brian's energy, insight and personal support, FODO, ABDO and the FMO (now OSA) would not have been able to develop a common headquarters for primary eye care in London, which marked the coming of age of a united sector. Brian also believed deeply in the importance of LOCs in defending and advancing the profession locally. He was always generous with his time and his company's resources to make that happen. He will be very much missed by all who knew him across the sector." 

Take part in GOC standards review

GOC is hosting discussions with registrants and other stakeholders on topics including social media and online conduct. To take part, email [email protected]. Learn more about the review.  

FODO strategy 2023-26

Thank you to all the members who helped develop our 2023-26 strategic priorities. We will launch 'The future of primary care' at our AGM on 10 May 2023. Members who volunteered examples will receive a copy for approval before publication. 

Coming soon

Other news

• Participate in the EUROMCONTACT survey on whether banning PFAS will adversely impact patients. Learn more.

• Company promotes 'IOP at home' as the future of glaucoma co-management.

• Orthoptists have accepted a pay offer from NHS England - they now await the outcome of wider union talks.

• Optometry Scotland's AGM will take place on 17 May from 1pm-2pm on Zoom. It has circulated the agenda, minutes and associated paperwork to members.

• NWROC AGM will take place on 17 May at 7-7.30 pm. Please notify Debbie.O'[email protected] if you wish to attend. The committee still has four spaces available. To get involved, send your CV to [email protected] by 3 May. OW said: "Being a member of the ROC affords you a unique opportunity to become involved in optical politics." You can also contact OW to talk more about the role and what it involves.

• Following the introduction of the GOC's ETR, the Scottish Government has commissioned NES to help develop a new placement delivery model for optometry trainees. NES is recruiting the following posts to deliver this:

Business partner. Closes today 21 April. Find out more and apply

Senior specialist tutor. Closing date 27 April. Find out more and apply 

Health policy updates

• Minister Neil O'Brien responded to a further PQ on the potential for a national eye health strategy for England. He said: "We recognise the challenges facing eye care services. In response, the Department and NHS England are already taking a strategic approach. Through the transformation programme, NHS England is considering how eye care services could be commissioned to ensure future sustainability. NHS England has appointed Louisa Wickham as a national clinical director for eyecare to oversee the recovery of eye care services and longer-term transformation. This sits alongside action already being taken to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of sight-threatening conditions."

• The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has raised concerns about the ongoing junior doctors' strikes and encouraged the BMA and government to work with an independent party to end the deadlock.

• All users of the Summary Care Record application (SCRa) will need to switch to NCRS before 29 September. Learn how to make the switch.