23 May 2025

FODO member update – 23 May

This week:

• Sector urges minister to ensure eye care in the 10-Year Plan
• College evidence review supports the rollout of MECS/CUES
• Sector publishes PVG guidance
• Royal College president calls for a review of cataract surgery
• At a glance
• Policy news

Sector urges minister to ensure eye care in the 10-Year Plan

The College of Optometrists and the Optical Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) call on the government to commissioning more enhanced primary eye care services in its NHS 10-Year Health Plan as part of the shift from hospital to community. Read more. 

College evidence review supports the rollout of MECS/CUES

The College of Optometrists has thoroughly reviewed the safety and effectiveness of urgent/emergency eye care services (MECS/CUES) in primary care across England.

The review finds that eye-related issues comprise about 1-2% of all GP consultations and a significant share of A&E attendances. The College notes that "between 75% and 97% of acute eye cases are fully managed by optometrists in primary care, without need for onward referral".  And when these services are commissioned, there is a significant drop in hospital workload. Notably, the College also says that "patient outcomes are excellent".

Read the full review. 

Sector publishes PVG guidance

ABDO, AOP, College of Optometrists, FODO, and Optometry Scotland have updated sector-wide guidance on Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) vetting requirements for optical practice staff in Scotland following recent legislative changes under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. Learn more and access the guidance. 

Royal College president calls for a review of cataract surgery

Professor Ben Burton, the president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and consultant ophthalmologist at NHS and Spire hospital clinics across Norfolk, has written an open letter to health minister Stephen Kinnock about cataract surgery. The letter shares survey results sent to a small sample of consultant ophthalmologists in England and the recent Sunday Times articles on cataract surgery. The president asks the Department of Health and Social Care to review the current use and oversight of independent sector providers in NHS-funded cataract surgery. 

At a glance

• The GOC has published its new corporate safeguarding policy, outlining how it will handle concerns about the safety and wellbeing of people at risk.
• Royal College reflects on the royal visit.
• ECOO reports that a new initiative to develop AI-driven pathways for early detection of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is now operational in 22 sites across Europe, including the UK. Read more.
• Optometry Scotland reflects on what the Programme for Government means for optometry.
• RNIB Cymru says bus services are failing their blind and partially sighted passengers.
• NICE decides to make minor changes to cataract guidance due to a lack of evidence.
• Optician reports on how Specsavers uses Snakes & Ladders to raise awareness about myopia.
• College of Optometrists welcomes nominations for Research Excellence Awards 2025. Nominations are open until 30 June 2025.
• Police advise all motorists to have a sight test after the latest car crash involving a driver who had not had a sight test for over 10 years.
• BBC reports on a volunteer's journey to becoming an ophthalmologist.

Policy news

• Health sector news, including Healthcare Leader and HSJ, report on ICB mergers as local commissioning systems work towards cutting operating costs by 50%. The HSJ says it saw an internal memo suggesting ICBs could be reduced from 42 to between 25 and 28.
• King's Fund reports on NHS financial pressures and tough choices ahead, with ICB deficits forecast to be as high as £6.6 billion for 2025/26. It concludes by stating how, despite real-term increases in spending for decades, "the NHS is now in one of the most pressurised financial positions in its history".