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 …
Continue reading “REGO – Urgent Referral Update”
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 …
Continue reading “Optometrist Referral Pathways Survey – request for help”
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 …
Continue reading “LOCSU and LOC Levy Rate”
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
New general ophthalmic services fees for 2024/25 From 1 April 2024, there is new guidance setting out fees for general ophthalmic services, including: NHS sight test fee and NHS domiciliary fees NHS optical voucher values continuing education and training payment for 2023, payable in 2024 grant payable to supervisors of pre-registration trainees You can read the guidance …
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3 April 2024
CPD Webinar The Evolution of Glaucoma Filtering Services in Primary Care REGISTER HERE Dear Colleague, The Professional Development Team at Primary Eyecare Services are delighted to present our inaugural CPD webinar: The Evolution of Glaucoma Filtering Services in Primary Care (in England) Monday 4th March at 7:00pm via Microsoft Teams This event is aimed at …
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25 February 2024
The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care has published its review of the General Optical Council’s performance in 2023-24.
12 March 2025
This year’s event will take place on Sunday 18 – Monday 19 May 2025 at Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
6 March 2025
for updates from Berkshire LOC