Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 23 December 2022
23 December 2022
Urgent Update on referrals to Solent Medical Services
Dear Optician Colleagues
Unfortunately, we at Solent Medical Services Ophthalmology Clinic are no longer able to accept referrals by fax. We are of course, more than happy to receive your referrals either by email or by post to the following address:
Email : soccg.smsophthalmologyclinic@nhs.net
By Post
SMS Ophthalmology Clinic
Newtown Clinic
24-26 Lyon Street
Southampton
SO14 0LX
Tel: 02380 296026
We would ask that you please send a covering letter or letterhead with your referral so we can identify where it originated from. This will ensure that we write back to the correct Optician with the outcome following the patient’s appointment. If you have any queries or questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch and one of our team will be happy to help.
We would also like to take this opportunity to wish you the very best seasons greetings and we look forward to working with you in the new year.
Many thanks from the Team at the SMS Eye Clinic
OPTICAL SECTOR INFORMATION AND IT COMMITTEE STATEMENT
PATIENT SAFETY ALERT – REFERRALS FOR EYE CARE SERVICES IN ENGLAND
Please note that in some areas optical practices have incorrectly been informed that paper referrals will be rejected due to a misunderstanding about local electronic referral systems.
Rejecting referrals has the potential to put a patients’ eye or general health at risk.
The optical sector fully supports two-way IT connectivity between primary eye care and the rest of the NHS for the benefit of all patients. The sector has been calling for this for over two decades as it will improve patient care for all. It is also a key enabler for eye care transformation at all levels.
However, new processes must be implemented carefully and in a programmed way, with agreement from all parties. It is imperative that patient referrals are not delayed or overlooked as a result of misunderstandings within newly formed ICSs.
Please note nothing has yet been agreed nationally on systems, funding, or phasing out or retaining paper referrals. Paper systems currently remain in place because there is no single safe IT solution to effectively manage referrals. At this time paper referrals continue to provide an important safety net in case of IT failure and serve as a back-up to ensure patient safety.
If your practice is contacted about local plans to reject paper referrals, please email your representative body and medical malpractice insurer as soon as possible to raise this risk:
ABDO: mhalford@abdo.org.uk
AOP: PeterHampson@aop.org.uk
FODO: Alan.Tinger@fodo.com
The sector Information and IT Committee is a joint committee of the national optical representative bodies including ABDO, AOP, College of Optometrists, FODO – The Association for Eye Care Providers, OSA, LOCSU, OW, OS, ONI, PMS providers and digital manufacturers.
Research Optometry Sessions
Professor Andrew Lotery is interested to hear from any optometrist who would be interested in refracting clinical trial patients on a Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm at Southampton General Hospital?
If interested please email Professor Lotery a.j.lotery@soton.ac.uk
Non Subfoveal Geographic Atrophy – UHS Trial
Professor Andrew Lotery is conducting a clinical trial of a new treatment for geographic atrophy and is looking for patients to be referred to his clinics to be considered for the trial.
Patients who have geographic atrophy not involving the fovea can be included. The atrophy can be 1 um off the fovea.
Any referrals should be sent to holly.bucci@nhs.net with the subject line reading, “GA Trial”.
If further information is required please email A.J.Lotery@soton.ac.uk
HIOW Health & Wellbeing
Please find HIOW wellbeing content for you to share with colleagues via the following link – here
Finally, the Chair and Management Committee of Hampshire LOC would like to send their seasonal best wishes to all colleagues across Hampshire and Isle of Wight and wish you all well for a prosperous New Year!
Hampshire LOC Latest News
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 18 April 2025
OpenSight Launch new Website The new website brings together everything you need to know about OpenSight—our services, events, and resources—all in one place. Whether you’re looking for practical support, advice, or ways to get involved, we hope this site will be an invaluable tool for everyone we serve. We invite you to explore the new …
Continue reading “Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 18 April 2025”
18 April 2025
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 11 April 2025
RNIB Request for Help in Alton Area Hampshire LOC has received a request from Alyson Smith at RNIB who has been contacted by a patient who is looking for an optometrist in the Alton area who may be particularly familiar testing patients who take psychiatric medication neuroleptics? If no-one has the experience would you be …
Continue reading “Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 11 April 2025”
13 April 2025
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 04 April 2025
Save the Date! – Hampshire LOC AGM – 11 June 2025 Hampshire LOC will be holding its AGM on Wednesday 11 June 2025 at the Winchester Hotel, Winchester SO 23 7AB from 18:30hrs. We are pleased to announce our guest speaker this year is Mr Nish Srikantha MBBS PhD PGcertHE FRCOphth. Consultant ophthalmologist specialising in …
Continue reading “Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 04 April 2025”
5 April 2025
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 28 March 2025
REMINDER – Hampshire LOC Post Contract Meeting – 02 April 2025 Hampshire LOC will be holding a Teams meeting on Wednesday 02 April from 19:30 – 20:30hrs. to discuss what happens post 31 March when the ICB contract for enhanced services ends. We will cover items including what the LOC recommends with regards to patients …
Continue reading “Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 28 March 2025”
29 March 2025
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 21 March 2025
Hampshire LOC Post Contract Meeting – 02 April 2025 Hampshire LOC will be holding a Teams meeting on Wednesday 02 April from 19:30 – 20:30hrs. to discuss what happens post 31 March when the ICB contract for enhanced services ends. We will cover items including what the LOC recommends with regards to patients with high …
Continue reading “Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 21 March 2025”
22 March 2025
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 14 March 2025
Hampshire LOC Cataract Single Point of Access Questionnaire – April 2025 Following the Hampshire wide introduction of the Cataract Single Point of Access (SPOA), also known as ‘Dora’ we would like to advise contractors and clinicians, that Hampshire LOC will be sending out a questionnaire at the end of April to gather feedback on how …
Continue reading “Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 14 March 2025”
14 March 2025
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 28 February 2025
Important Information – Hampshire and Isle of Wight Contracts Primary EyeCare Service Update The latest update is available via this link. If you have any questions for the LOC please email Bryony Allen, the Chair via ballen@hampshireloc.org.uk as the LOC Business Manager is on leave. If you receive concerns or complaints from patients please advise …
Continue reading “Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 28 February 2025”
1 March 2025
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 21 February 2025
Important Information – Hampshire and Isle of Wight Contracts Primary EyeCare Service Update Dear Colleagues, Primary Eyecare Services, along with the Local Optical Committee (LOC), met with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) to discuss decommissioning and exit arrangements following the announcement that the glaucoma, cataract and enhanced triage contracts would …
Continue reading “Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 21 February 2025”
22 February 2025
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 14 February 2025
Important Announcement on Hampshire Services – PES Update Dear Colleagues, We regret to inform you that effective from 1st April 2025, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) has taken the decision to decommission the following Primary Eyecare Services enhanced service contracts in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight: Enhanced Cataract Referral Service (IOW) Post-op Cataract Service …
Continue reading “Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 14 February 2025”
15 February 2025