25 April 2025

FODO member update – 25 April

Welcome back to the FODO newsletter. We have been busy working on a new member site, to bring you eye care and audiology news from the UK and Ireland. We are returning to more regular email updates until we launch the new site in May.

This week, we cover all essential developments since our last newsletter on 21 March:

• Notice of FODO Group AGM - 7 May 2025
• GOS voucher values in England to be frozen for 2025-26
• Patient champion calls on DHSC to rethink approach to GOS funding
• Parents urged to take children for preschool eye checks
• Calls to change vision test for driving 
• GOC updates
• Scotland updates
• Think tank publishes third report on cataract surgery
• LOCSU reduces contractor levy
• At a glance
• Policy updates

Notice of FODO Group AGM - 7 May 2025

FODO Group has given notice that it is holding this year's annual general meeting by videoconference from 10.30-11.30am on 7 May 2025. Read more and register to join. 

GOS voucher values in England to be frozen for 2025-26

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has chosen to freeze GOS optical vouchers. The OFNC has criticised the decision not to increase support for patients during a cost-of-living crisis. 

Patient champion calls on DHSC to rethink approach to GOS funding

Healthwatch, the NHS patient champion in England, has called on DHSC to reconsider its real-term and sustained cuts on GOS sight tests and vouchers. This follows Healthwatch's second report on eye care, which found patients might delay seeking help if they perceive cost as a barrier. However, with NHS funding for primary eye care not covering costs, opticians struggle to help as many patients as they once did. Read more. 

Parents urged to take children for preschool eye checks

ABDO, the College of Optometrists and OSA have launched a campaign urging parents to get their children's eyes tested. It follows a survey that revealed parents were less likely to take school-aged children for a sight test than for a dental check. Learn more. 

Calls to change vision test for driving

The BBC reports on four people killed by drivers with poor vision. HM senior coroner for Lancashire, Dr James Adeley, has sent a report to transport secretary Heidi Alexander stressing the importance of changing driver vision checks. He has said the UK is one of three countries that rely on drivers to self-report visual conditions that impact driving ability. 

GOC updates

The GOC has announced its latest council appointments beginning on 1 April. Raymond Curran is the new registrant member, and Cathy Yelf is the lay member. Frank Munro will continue as a registrant member for four more years. Read more.
The Council has also launched its 2025-2030 strategy, which has three strategic objectives:

• Creating fairer and more inclusive eye care services 
• Supporting responsible innovation and protecting the public 
• Preventing harm through agile regulation.

Finally, please note that the GOC has launched its 2025 Workforce and Perceptions Survey. Take part by 27 April. 

Scotland updates

In April, the Directorate for Primary Care wrote about changes to GOS support for IP optometrists, provided details on CPD claims, and updated the sector on the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 and other procedural/compliance matters.

We always encourage members in Scotland to read the full PCA. Please note that sector bodies are preparing a guidance note to help you implement proposals from the Disclosure Scotland update, and we will provide updates as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Optometry Scotland has welcomed detailed proposals for the General Ophthalmic Services Specialist Supplementary (GOS SS) service. It has said the "initiative will empower Independent Prescriber (IP) optometrists to take on an expanded clinical role, reducing demand on NHS hospital eye services and general practice across Scotland". Read more. 

Think tank publishes third report on cataract surgery

The Centre for Health and Public Interest (CHPI) think tank, which has produced many reports warning against private sector involvement in the NHS, has published its third report on cataract surgery.

CHPI's latest report repeats previous statements it made on Newsnight, including claims that ophthalmology providers might be upcoding surgical procedures while stating it has been "careful not to suggest any wrongdoing or illegal activity".

This week, The Sunday Times covered the CHPI report and said an "NHS England source" had also shared concerns about ophthalmology provision in England. Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England are reported telling The Sunday Times that they are reviewing the provision of cataract surgery.

The IHPN responded to The Sunday Times article by stating it "refuted the claim that any cataract procedure is carried out unnecessarily by our members". It added that "research from the Royal College of Ophthalmology shows the high-quality patient outcomes delivered by independent providers, with their National Ophthalmology Database (NOD) showing that complication rates in the independent sector on average are below half the rates expected by the College." The IHPN also explained how NHS procurement and fixed-based pricing work.

In addition, the CHPI report refers to post-cataract care provided by optometrists on the high street. While it refers to various regulations outside the context of NHS primary eye care, it explicitly acknowledges that "there is no suggestion that such arrangements are illegal or unlawful". 

LOCSU reduces contractor levy

The LOC Support Unit (LOCSU) has reduced the levy contractors pay via LOCs from 0.5% to 0.4%. The support unit reported that it was "delighted to announce" the drop, which represents a 20% reduction overall. It recognised the effects of the "volatile economic political landscape" on local contractors and LOCs. Read more. 

At a glance

• Do you love teaching and eye-care service provision, plus have the leadership skills and strategic thinking to lead the Vision Centre at Glasgow Caledonian University into the future? Apply for the business manager of vision care vacancy before 5 May.
• BIOS has published a report suggesting orthoptists should perform refractions and prescribe glasses. Read the report.
• The eye care sector has responded to the Healthwatch England report, 'A Strain on Sight: Waiting for NHS Specialist Eye Car', calling for urgent reforms to reduce waiting times and improve patient experiences. Read more.
• The College of Optometrists has responded to the OFNC statement on 20 March, pointing out that if the government doesn't raise GOS fees, it could "exacerbate health inequalities by reducing access to essential eye care, particularly for the most vulnerable patients". Read more.
• The BBC reports on how UK surgeons have helped save the sight of more than 20 Bangladeshi students wounded in last summer's protests in the country.
• NICE is reviewing whether to update NG77 cataracts in adults: management. FODO has reviewed this consultation, which focuses on updating the recommendation on bilateral simultaneous cataract surgery and has decided not to respond.
• The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has amended its cataract surgery portfolio requirements. Learn more.
• We encourage ophthalmology teams to participate in a new British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit study investigating the incidence and causes of posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) exchange or explanation following cataract surgery. Learn more.
• The Optician focuses on research that raises concerns about eye health in the workplace.
• A pilot by Vision Care for Homeless People and Specsavers has provided more than 200 pairs of spectacles to homeless people in Yorkshire. Read more.
• The Optician reports on £10,000 scholarships to help STEM students study optometry.
• The RNIB reports on new research that raises concerns about the barriers blind people suffer when trying to access medicines and medical care.
• The Independent reviews how Labour's welfare reforms could impact blind people.
• Alzheimer's Research UK encourages people to act on vision problems sooner to help them age well. Read more.
• The World Council of Optometry has published a 'Why optometry' document to tackle the growing global vision crisis and reinforce optometry's role in public health.
• A University of Liverpool spin-out company will lead a UK-South Korea collaboration to advance personalised corneal treatments. Read more.
• RNIB reports that blind women in Scotland have said they had distressing experiences when attending cervical screening appointments.
• The Roche-funded Eyes Have It campaign has hosted a week-long exhibition in Westminster. It called for a dedicated national policy to address the postcode lottery patients face. The group was previously unsuccessful in lobbying for a national strategy and national plan.

Policy news

• FODO challenged NHS England's initial proposals to change the payment scheme and NHS Standard Contract, arguing that these changes would lead to top-down rationing of access to care without sufficient checks and balances (recap here and see our responses). After the initial consultation, NHS England did not impose this change through the payment scheme. However, it has since followed up with a 'further consultation' on the Standard Contract, which FODO and NCHA have reviewed. The two organisations will respond by flagging concerns about how the current proposals might lead to ICBs cutting access to care because local needs are not understood. If you want to learn more about this or our policy work, please email [email protected].
• The Scottish Government has announced new funding for the National Treatment Centre (NTC) Highland to deliver thousands of additional ophthalmic operations annually. The government has also launched a pilot that provides free rail travel for companions of blind and partially sighted people.
• Senedd's Health Committee Wales has reported that more than 80,000 patient pathways were still waiting too long to access the hospital eye care service, putting patients at risk of avoidable sight loss. The latest eye care statistics also show ongoing challenges with ophthalmology. Meanwhile, RNIB Cymru has launched its manifesto for the 2026 Senedd Elections.
• The NHS Confederation has published Beyond the waiting room: reimagining primary care for the next decade, starting with general practice, with follow-up editions to cover audiology and optometry.
• The Health Foundation examines whether the government and the public share the same NHS goals. It found the public supports cutting waiting lists and agrees that primary care is crucial as it's where most people access the care and support they need.
• Samantha Jones is now the new permanent secretary of the Department of Health and Social Care.