Join us on Wednesday, July 17th, at Wokingham Cricket Club for this event. Hear about current optical developments in Berkshire from LOC Chair, Sean Caskey, and then earn some CPD from the following lectures: Zaid Shalchi: “Managing AMD in the NHS”. Discover the latest advancements, best practices, and strategies for effectively managing age-related macular degeneration …
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29 May 2024
Cataract Post-Operative Accreditation Webinar Presented by Dr Alex Silvester – Chief Medical Officer 2 CPD Points SpaMedica is currently the number one provider of cataract surgeries for NHS patients in the UK; with Fifty hospitals based across the North West, the Midlands, Yorkshire, the South East and the South West. A key part of our …
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23 May 2024
You are cordially invited to a CPD event for Optometrists: Topic: Retinal vein occlusion Speaker: Mr Zaid Shalchi, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon Time: 6.00-8.00pm Monday 10 June 2024 Place: Castle Suite, Princess Margaret Hospital, Osborne Road, Windsor SL4 3SJ Free registration with dinner included but book early as capacity is limited. Register at https://bit.ly/rvoforoptoms
21 May 2024
Dear Optometry Practice, Re: Inaccurate HES Voucher Claims We have recently become aware of a number of practices making inaccurate claims for spectacles via the NHS Voucher scheme. This includes amending voucher type, and addition of supplements for high refractive index lenses, or stating that cost of glasses is lower than voucher value and still …
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13 May 2024
Dear Optometry Colleagues, Electronic Eyecare Referral System (EeRS) – Direct referral requirement You will be aware that as part of the national requirements in the 2023/24 operational planning guidance, ICBs were asked to ‘expand direct access and self- referral where GP involvement is not clinically necessary’ by 1 September 2023. Systems were asked to put in place direct referral pathways from community …
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13 May 2024
Emily Charlesworth is a postdoctoral research fellow at Anglia Ruskin University, and is currently distributing a survey to investigate how optometrists refer into secondary care and which referral pathways exist in different areas of the UK. If any specific pathways exist the survey will ask further questions regarding the optometrist’s experience of using these …
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23 April 2024
The Frimley post-cataract service is now up and running well. Specifically beneficial for practices located in East Berkshire or those on the borders of this area, the service boasts sufficient funding to operate smoothly and effectively. Patients who opt for this service can expect a streamlined process for post-operative care, ensuring that they receive …
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19 April 2024
Please find below an update regarding the REGO platform: The implementation of the urgent referral button is still pending. Please check your dashboard regularly to ensure that any bounced back referrals are actioned. Please get in touch should you have any questions or require further clarification.
19 April 2024
Dear Berkshire contractors and performers, I am writing to inform you of the decision made by the LOC to increase the levy rate from the current 0.5% to 0.8%. This decision follows careful consideration of our financial situation and the evolving needs of our committee. The decision to increase the levy rate is based on …
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19 April 2024
Due to changes in the pathway of cataract referrals in the NHS Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire ICB (BOB), SpaMedica are only accepting cataract referrals from those practices that have the Rego platform, by the Rego platform. When the Rego platform is available in a practice, we are no longer accepting cataract referrals sent directly from …
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19 April 2024
NHS England has published new clinical priority codes for use by GOS contractors in England.
2 December 2024
New report reveals the untapped clinical and socio-economic impact of primary eye care.
29 November 2024
for updates from Berkshire LOC