29 August 2025

FODO member update - 29 August

This week:

• Update on access to PCSE UAT system in England
• NHS Scotland publishes GOS remuneration increases
• GOC consults on new guidance  
• Specsavers DO apprenticeship proves popular
• AI tool predicts eye damage from autoimmune drug 
• Microstent could advance glaucoma treatment
• At a glance
• Health policy

Update on access to PCSE UAT system in England

Primary Care Support England (PCSE) Ophthalmic Payments is aware that some users are experiencing issues in accessing the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) environment.

The PCSE technical team is investigating the cause and working on a solution. 

NHS Scotland publishes GOS remuneration increases

NHS Scotland has published the remuneration increases for General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) and the Community Glaucoma Service (CGS).
 
The new fees are as follows:

• Primary CGS assessment - £97.69
• Supplementary CGS assessment - £47.80
• Patient registration (per patient per annum - paid pro rata monthly) - £48.96.

 
Read the full document. 

GOC consults on new guidance

The General Optical Council is consulting on two new pieces of draft guidance: maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries and care of patients in vulnerable circumstance. The closing date for responses is 17 October.
 
FODO will respond to the consultation (including seeking advice on the care of patients in vulnerable circumstances guidance from the sector's Domiciliary Eyecare Committee). Please send any feedback by the end of September to [email protected]. 

Specsavers DO apprenticeship proves popular

Specsavers reports an increase in the number of employees enrolling on its dispensing optician apprenticeship programme. The funded degree-level apprenticeship is designed for optical assistants who are already employed by the company. Read more.

AI tool predicts eye damage from autoimmune drug

Researchers have developed a novel AI tool that could transform screening for patients taking hydroxychloroquine for autoimmune disease by spotting early signs of eye damage. The tool, which uses retinal scans and datasets, accurately identified retinopathy years in advance of a clinical diagnosis. Read more.

Microstent could advance glaucoma treatment

Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a tiny stent made from nickel-titanium alloy. It has the potential to significantly improve treatment for glaucoma by lowering the eye pressure and causing minimal inflammation and scarring. Read more.  

At a glance

• The Association of British Dispensing Opticians' third clinical conference takes place on 12-13 October at its National Resource Centre in Birmingham.
• The Irish regulator CORU is seeking suitably qualified CORU-registered optometrists to join its disciplinary committees. Read more.
• Long read: The RNIB talks to Eye News about the importance of the Adult Low Vision Service Framework for maintaining consistent, equitable care.

Health policy

Primary care services central to success of 10 Year Plan for England

The NHS Confederation discusses the central role of primary care in its in-depth analysis of the 10 Year Health Plan for England's vision for a neighbourhood health service and what is needed to make it a success.

It says: "Community optometrists and audiologists can help identify conditions, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, hearing loss and signs of systemic disease, such as diabetes and hypertension. There is evidence from those areas where community optometry and audiology are commissioned of a reduction in demand on other parts of the system. By working in partnership with other health and care providers, they can support independence, communication and quality of life - particularly for the elderly." Read more.

Streeting and drug firms fail to reach pricing agreement

Wes Streeting, the health secretary, and pharmaceutical companies were unable to reach an agreement on changes to the medicine payment scheme. Mr Streeting accused them of being "shortsighted" and said he would not allow them to "rip off" the health service.  

The review was to address payment rates, which require pharmaceutical companies to pay a set proportion of their revenue from sales of branded medicines to the NHS. The Guardian looks in detail at the disagreement.