19 December 2025

FODO member update - 19 December

This week:

• Season's Greetings
• FODO raises concerns about NHS England proposals
• GOC plans to reform CPD system
• ‘Progress only happens through collaboration'
• Plans for new optometry course
• At a glance

Season's Greetings

Thank you for your continued support this year. We wish you all a joyful festive break and a Happy New Year.
 
A reminder that our operating hours for the Christmas and New Year period are:

• 25-26 December: Closed
• 1 January: Closed

Members who need support outside hours should email [email protected]. We will respond within 48 hours and provide a contact number if your query is urgent and requires a same-day response.
 
FODO news will also take a short break and will return on 9 January. As always, if any vital matter arises, we will send an update as soon as possible.
 
This year, instead of sending Christmas cards, we are donating to Guide Dogs. Read more about the charity, read Clarity. 

FODO raises concerns about NHS England proposals

FODO has joined the NCHA, the association for primary care audiology providers, in responding to two NHS consultations this week. FODO has raised concerns about NHS England removing the escalation process to challenge indicative activity plans and about non-evidence based changes to ophthalmology pricing. Read our responses to NHS Payment Scheme and the NHS Standard Contract. 

GOC plans to reform CPD system

The GOC council has approved a consultation on plans to reform the CPD system. The consultation presents a long-term vision that includes moving away from the points-based system towards an outcomes-based approach that sets out broad expectations for registrants and ending CPD provider approval and audit.
 
In other GOC news, fees for the 2026/27 registration period will rise by £10 to £425 for optometrists and dispensing opticians and stay the same for students (£30) and those on low incomes (£290).
 
After its consultation earlier this year, the GOC has also published the following new guidance documents:

• Maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries
• Care for patients in vulnerable circumstances

'Progress only happens through collaboration'

Sharon Beatty is stepping down from her role as clinical adviser to Optometry Wales. This year marks three decades since she qualified as an optometrist and went on to become an influential figure in shaping the future of primary eye care in Wales. She talks to Clarity about her love of the profession and her hopes for its future. 

Plans for new optometry course

De Monfort University hopes to launch a four-year Master of Optometry course in 2026, subject to GOC approval. Building works for new facilities are due to start in January. Read more.  
 
This comes after news that University of Leicester had already made significant progress at establishing an optometry course in the city. 

At a glance

• Optician presented 19 awards at a ceremony in London. The outstanding achievement award went to David Henson, professor of ophthalmology and vision sciences at Manchester University. 
• GOC is looking for two new council associates - one dispensing optician/contact lens optician and an optometrist.
• AOP publishes a series of articles about community glaucoma care in partnership with Specsavers and Newmedica.
• ABDO appoints Laura Hing, manager and co-owner of Hing Opticians in Bedfordshire, as its regional lead for the Midlands. Read more.  
• Eyewear and med-tech company EssilorLuxottica has announced the acquisition of Signifeye, a leading Belgian ophthalmology platform. Read more.
• Sunderland University will be the home of a new multi-million- pound eye health research centre, the Northern Ophthalmic Research and Innovation Institute (NORI). Read more.
• Emma Willis has joined Vision Express as its brand ambassador to help promote the importance of regular eye checks, Retail Gazette reports.