06 June 2025

FODO member update – 6 June

This week:

• Free FODO CPD - Think like an expert witness webinar
• Wales acts to improve access to timely certification 
• RNIB calls for urgent action to stop avoidable sight loss
• Optegra sold to EssilorLuxottica
• ICS announces expansion of primary eye care services
• Scotland - CPD allowance
• At a glance
• Health policy

Free FODO CPD - Think like an expert witness webinar

FODO is sponsoring a free CPD webinar, which includes an overview of GOC and civil law procedures that may follow a patient complaint, the common causes of such complaints and how to mitigate risk. The event takes place on 16 June from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Learn more and register. Please also forward the link to your GOC-registered colleagues.

Wales acts to improve access to timely certification

Optometrists in Wales can now certify vision impairment in adults for all conditions, addressing a gap in care and helping manage the demand for services. In doing so, Wales leads the UK in removing historical barriers to timely certification. Read more.  

RNIB calls for urgent action to stop avoidable sight loss

The RNIB has published a report recommending IT connectivity between primary and secondary eye care services. It also calls for the NHS to use primary eye care to deliver more care close to home to tackle avoidable sight loss. The RNID report supports the OFNC, the College of Optometrists and Healthwatch, which have called for the government to act and shift care out of hospital. Read more. 

Optegra sold to EssilorLuxottica

Private equity investor MidEuropa has confirmed it will sell ophthalmology provider Optegra to EssilorLuxottica.
 
Dr Peter Byloos, CEO of Optegra, said: "Joining forces with EssilorLuxottica marks a transformative chapter for Optegra. Their global leadership in vision care, combined with our clinical excellence and patient-centric approach, creates a unique platform to redefine ophthalmic services across Europe. This partnership not only accelerates our growth potential but also enhances our ability to deliver innovative, digital, and integrated eye care solutions to all our patients." 

ICS announces expansion of primary eye care services

NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System (ICS) has announced it will deliver more eye care closer to communities.
 
Claire Roberts, optometry adviser for ICS, said the expansion of primary eye care would result in "services more conveniently and closer to home, reducing the time and expense currently spent on travelling to appointments, while at the same time investing in our community services and easing some of the pressure on our busy hospitals".
 
The new model of care will roll out from 1 July as part of a phased launch and will include:

• Community Minor and Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES)
• Enhanced cataract referral and post-operative assessment
• Integrated Children's Eye Care Service and post-vision screening support
• Medical retina referral filtering and monitoring
• Glaucoma enhanced case finding, repeat readings and monitoring

Dharmesh Patel, chief executive for Primary Eyecare Services, said: "We're delighted that we have been awarded the contract to deliver the Optometry First Services for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin." 

Scotland - CPD allowance

The allowance for appropriate CPD undertaken in 2024 must be claimed from NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) between 1 June and 31 July 2025 inclusive. Members should ensure they claim the standard (£654) or higher (£979) CPD allowance before the deadline, as the latest PCA states "under no circumstances" will any late submission be paid. Learn more. 

At a glance

• The latest Welsh ophthalmology data for April shows 161,350 patient pathways (where the patient had a Health Risk Factor R1 assessment) were waiting for an outpatient appointment. Of those, 161,293 had a target date allocated.

• Royal College has published its May policy roundup.

• A literature review assesses the effectiveness of undergraduate ophthalmic assessments in the UK.

Health policy

NHS reforms will see ICBs cut to 27 clusters
 
The NHS Confederation reports that 42 ICBS will be reduced to 27 clusters. It also says that a third of existing ICBs will remain independent and retain existing boundaries. Therefore, more significant changes will take place in two-thirds of ICB regions. Read more.  
 
Private hospitals in Scotland experience significant growth
 
Private hospitals and clinics in Scotland witnessed a 6% growth in 2024, with more NHS doctors than ever doing some private work. Cataract surgery was the most common procedure. Read more.
 
Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has said it will spend £12 million on ophthalmology to tackle the longest waits for procedures and operations in the NHS.
 
Northern Ireland to tackle waiting list issues
 
Health minister Mike Nesbitt has published a plan to tackle hospital waiting lists. The plan includes establishing "mega clinics" for an estimated 20,000 additional patients across numerous specialities, including ophthalmology.
 
Welsh patients back primary care supporting non-medical issues
 
A new survey has found that 80% of people in Wales believe primary care, including optometrists, is well placed to support people with issues like diet, housing and staying physically active. Read more.