FODO member update – 1 May
This week:
- AGM reminder
- Bank holiday opening hours
- GOC consults on fee structure
- Grants available for inclusive internships
- Update on ‘mandatory eyesight testing’ for driving consultation
- Sensory checks for healthy ageing
- At a glance
- Health policy news
This is a reminder that FODO is holding this year’s annual general meeting by videoconference from 12:15-1pm on 6 May 2026. Read more and register to join.
FODO’s office will be closed on 4 May. We will reopen at 9am on 5 May. Members can access out-of-hours support on Monday by emailing [email protected].
The GOC has published a discussion paper seeking registrants’ views on how it sets annual renewal fees. The council says it wants to start a conversation around whether the fees for different groups of registrants should depend on the costs of regulating them and options to offer more payment support.
We will respond to the consultation on behalf of members. Please send your feedback to [email protected] by 6 July. Read more in Clarity.
Grants available for inclusive internships
Thomas Pocklington Trust is seeking companies across the UK to act as hosts for its Get Set Progress paid internship programme, which connects with employers with talented blind and partially sighted people.
Read more in Clarity about what employers and interns can expect from the programme.
Update on ‘mandatory eyesight testing’ for driving consultation
Thank you to all members who have taken part in shaping FODO’s draft response to the Department for Transport (DfT) consultation on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers.
Based on member feedback, FODO’s draft response to the DfT supports moving away from the ‘trust’ model of self-declaration and recognises the benefits of drivers having an in-date sight test, as well as how some tests/tasks fall outside the scope of a sight test. Crucially the draft response also makes it clear that any new requirements would need to be funded and invites further discussion with DfT to ensure any changes are practical, fair and work well for service users and eye care providers, who are best placed to support any new system.
FODO has also engaged with all sector partners to minimise the risk of unfunded work inadvertently being imposed on the sector. This work is ongoing, but we hope all final submissions across the sector will safeguard providers from having further unfunded work imposed on what is an already challenging period in terms of cost inflation and overall economic uncertainty.
The draft response can be read here. If members have any final feedback, please email us at [email protected] by 5pm on 7 May.
Sensory checks for healthy ageing
In an interview with Pulse online magazine, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon and hearing scientist discuss the importance of early vision and auditory assessments for monitoring people with dementia. They explain the evidence linking sensory loss to cognitive decline and share their views on how simple sensory checks can support healthy ageing and independence.
- The new RNIB data tool predicts that the number of people living with AMD and glaucoma will increase by more than a 25% over the next decade. Read more in Clarity.
- Runners at this year’s London Marathon, including eight who are blind or partially sighted and several optometrists, raised more than £200,000 in total for RNIB.
- SightCare celebrates the best in independent optometry at its 2026 national awards in Birmingham. Read more in Clarity.
- The Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers (ACLM) has awarded an Honorary Membership to David Cantor, chairman of contact lens manufacturer Cantor Barnard, for his exceptional contributions and leadership in contact lens manufacturing. Read more.
- The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have released a series of videos to help eye care professionals understand and apply recommendations from the Dry Eye Workshop III report. Read more.
MP questions age-based vision checks for drivers
Responding to plans to introduce mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70, Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, questioned whether focusing on age is the most effective way to improve road safety.
Speaking at a Westminster Hall debate on reform of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, she said: “Vision can deteriorate at any age, so testing should be linked to licence renewal, which currently takes place every 10 years for most drivers […] If safety is the goal, an age-based approach alone misses the mark.”
Current eyesight standards for driving rely heavily on self-declaration and a basic number plate test, with no mandatory eyesight checks after the driving test.
DHSC considers private capital to fund neighbourhood health centres
The HSJ reports that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has awarded the consultancy firm Turner & Townsend a £735,000 contract to act as technical adviser on plans to develop a public-private partnership model for neighbourhood health centres. The firm will work alongside the DHSC’s and NHS England’s in-house teams, together with financial and legal advisers.
A FODO spokesperson said: “It is important that new neighbourhood health centres focus on adding value and avoid duplicating capacity. The NHS needs to focus on making best use of existing capacity across primary care, including pharmacies, opticians and audiology practices. This will reduce the need to deploy new capital and empower the NHS to deliver the left shift in the 10 Year Health Plan more quickly.”
Independent healthcare providers report growing confidence
The Independent Health Providers Network (IHPN) has released its annual Industry Barometer. The barometer, which surveys over 50 independent providers, shows that most expect strong growth in the coming year, due to increased confidence in self-pay activity.
Against a background of continued difficulties accessing NHS services, 78% of those surveyed felt positive or very positive about the self-payor group, compared to 63% for the insured activity market. Read more.