Thank you from the Chair and Watford Hospital, Low Vison Survey, OFNC Chair, HVCCG And FODO News

12 April 2021

We have 6 items for you today:

1. 1. Thank You From The LOC Chair and Watford Hospital
      Dear Practitioners

      Further to our recent email about Watford Hospital and their requirements, I would like to say a huge thank you to all those practices and practitioners who have stepped up to offer their help with both corneal topography and to become involved in the FENETRE study. We had an amazing number of replies and I feel this can only benefit our relationship with them going forward.

      Watford will be contacting the practices directly for topography as and when it is needed and were delighted to receive such a positive response from you all. A big thank you from them, too!

      We also had a superb amount of interest for sitting in the Urgent Eye Clinics at Watford. The organisation of these sessions will be commencing next week. We have, therefore, closed the list to new requests for the moment.

1. 1. Low Vision Survey
      The Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning is seeking for your support in completing a short survey to understand the impact of COVID-19 (April 2020 – March 2021) on low vision assessment services in England.  LOCSU have provided more information about this below. The survey can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/cbmApNa5dQpNvTYy8 and should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. They would welcome your responses by Friday 30 April 2021.

1. 1. Herts Valleys CCG’s April Update
      is HERE, including information on the reports of very rare blood clots and an opportunity for anyone eligible (not just staff or practitioners) to get their FIRST VACCINATION.

1. 1. CET Webinar – ‘Management of Uveitis’
      The Ophthalmic Consultants of London (now called OCL Vision) are running their next CET webinar on Thursday 29th April at 8pm. Further details and the registration form can be found HERE.

1. 1. OFNC Change of Chair
      The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) have issued a statement regarding a change of Chair, and their priorities and direction for the coming year, HERE.

1. FODO’s Weekly News Update
   can be found HERE, including NHS funded PPE extension, “Royal College launches cataract services workforce guidance” and “Public positive about primary eye care provision during Covid-19”.

Kind regards

Herts LOC

Low Vision Survey

The Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning is seeking for your support in completing a short survey to understand the impact of COVID-19 (April 2020 – March 2021) on low vision assessment services in England.

We are aware that since the first lockdown, low vision assessment clinics have been cancelled, with urgent cases carried out via remote consultations. Initial returns have shown a significant fall in certifications of visual impairment. We appreciate that service provision has been very challenging, with patients and practitioners shielding, lower clinic numbers to maintain social distancing, and re-deployed posts.

What happens in a low vision assessment is important as it should be considered as the start of a new pathway. The approach should make sure that all the patient needs are identified, and appropriate actions and support arranged. Even before COVID, low vision assessment was not a consistent service across England and there were long delays or no service in some areas. With greater use of telephone and video consultations, it is important to understand the impact of these changes on patient care, and to ensure consistency and equity of access to low vision service users.

Any information you provide will be used to inform how these services could be improved.

The survey can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/cbmApNa5dQpNvTYy8 and should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. We would welcome your responses by Friday 30 April 2021.

The information requested should be readily available and should not need you to conduct additional data collections or seek local approvals. The information you will share will be held securely in line with data protection law.

If you are willing to share local protocols, please feel free to send these to the CCEHC Secretariat at olivier.deneve@college-optometrists.org

Thank you again for your support in completing this survey.

Kind regards
LOCSU