20 March 2026

FODO member update - 20 March

This week:

• GOC news
• Optic UK and OSA enter partnership
• Smart glasses win dementia award
• PCSE system downtime
• CPD update from NES Scotland
• At a glance
• Health policy news

GOC news

The GOC approved a discussion paper at its first council meeting of 2026, hoping to start a conversation with registrants on possible changes to how it sets registration fees. This includes exploring lower fees for dispensing opticians, higher fees for registrants with specialist qualifications and modifying business registrant fees based on organisation size. The paper will go live on the GOC's consultation hub for 12 weeks starting in April 2026. FODO will be analysing and responding to this consultation on behalf of members. To get involved email [email protected].

The Council also discussed the GOC's PSA performance review and approved its 2026-27 business plan and EDI action plan.

Optic UK and OSA enter partnership

The ophthalmology trade body Optic UK and the Optical Supplier Association (OSA) have announced a strategic partnership after 18 months of talks.  James Conway, OSA's chairman, said: "Together we have an unrivalled amount of clinical and industry expertise - we cannot progress with one or the other working in isolation. We have to work in unison to support the profession to move optics forward." Read more.

Smart glasses win dementia award

Smart glasses that can identify everyday objects and guide people living with early-stage dementia have won the £1 million Longitude Prize on Dementia.

London-based company CrossSense developed the interactive technology called 'Wispy' that helps stimulate the brain by asking questions and giving prompts so people can keep performing everyday activities, such as making a cup of tea.

PCSE system downtime

PCSE systems, including PCSE Online and Contact us forms, will be unavailable due to the ICB merger migration programme from 6pm on 27 March to 9am on 28 March.

The PCSE Ophthalmic Payments Team asks users not to submit eGOS/API claims during this time.

CPD update from NES Scotland

NHS Education for Scotland reminds optometrists and OMPs that to claim a CPD allowance for appropriate CPD undertaken in 2026 and future years, they must complete the GOS mandatory training for that year unless exempt under paragraph 3A(3) of schedule 1 of the GOS Regulations. Read more. 

At a glance

• The College of Optometrists and the AOP are separately seeking council members to help with their strategic direction and to support members.
• Boots has launched a myopia service for children, using the mEYE Suite by Ocumetra, Optician reports.
• RNIB Scotland reports on a new voting aid with audio support that helps blind and partially sighted voters cast their vote independently before the Scottish Parliament elections.
• SightCare announces the independent optical practices shortlisted for the SightCare Awards 2026, which will take place on 26 April in Birmingham.
• Orbis UK supports second 'Beedie on Eyewear' podcast series, casting a spotlight on global eye care efforts. Read more in Clarity.
• New research suggests an ingredient in popular weight-loss drugs may be linked to non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NION), which causes vision loss. Read more in Clarity.
• The BBC talks to an optometrist and frame maker who found himself the subject of a David Hockney painting after making him some glasses.

Health policy news

NHS England releases delivery plan for health
 
NHS England has published the Neighbourhood Health Framework and a document called 'Fit for the future: towards population health delivery models'. These publications explain how ICBs and providers can integrate services around defined populations, "improving routine care while supporting long-term conditions and providing better alternatives to hospital treatment". Read the reports.
 
Stephen Kinnock, the minister of state for care, said in a written statement to parliament that the government's ambition was to have a Neighbourhood Health Centre in every community, "funded through a mix of public-private partnership and public capital, and starting in the areas of greatest need".
 
More people seek private healthcare
 
A new report from Healthwatch shows that the number of people using private healthcare has risen sharply in response to long waits for NHS treatment. The watchdog's analysis examines why more people than ever are making the switch. Read more in Clarity.