GOS Complaints, GOS2 Forms, NHS emails and DSPT, Vacancies, Research Results and FODO News

11 October 2021

We have 8 items for you today:

1. GOS complaints Submission
   NHSE (East of England) advise that they have reopened the annual GOS Complaints Survey, which will now close on Monday 18 October 2021. This is to give contractors who have not submitted their Annual GOS Complaints another opportunity to do so. They say:

   
   Dear Colleagues

   We would like to say thank you to all that have taken the time to complete the GOS Complaints Briefing for September, if you have not done so please complete by following the link in the document, HERE.

   We are reopening the survey on Monday 20 September 2021 for four weeks, closing on Monday 18 October 2021 to give the contractors who had not submitted their Annual GOS Complaints another opportunity to do so.
   If you any queries please contact nhsbsa.paos@nhs.net

   Kind regards

   NHS England (East of England)
    

2. Supply Issue with GOS2 forms
   PCSE advise that there is a temporary shortage of GOS2 Rx forms. They say that practices should photocopy existing blank forms and use those for Pxs until supplies are reinstated. We have not yet been advised of a timescale for when this is likely to be. 
3. NHSmail and Data Protection Security Toolkit (DSPT)
   NHS Digital have issued an update to the NHSmail and Data Protection Security Toolkit (DSPT): Optometry which can be downloaded HERE.

   In brief, the following points from the document should be noted:

   • If you have a NHSmail account, you are required to complete the Data Security & Protection Toolkit (DSPT) on an annual basis

   • A temporary DSPT waiver was in place until 30 June 2021 meaning contractors who signed up to an NHSmail account from May 2020 had additional time to complete the DSPT

   • From 1 July 2021 optometry contractors applying for an NHSmail account have been required to complete the DSPT. Contractors will have a full 12 months in which to complete the toolkit; for 2021/22 the cycle runs from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022

   We encourage you to read the document in full to ensure you are compliant.

4. Vacancy for Full or Part Time Optometrist 
   
   Patient focused optometrist sought for clinical, well equipped, independent practice in Ware, where patient care and people matter more than conversion rates. Please call Mary on 07713629066 for an informal chat.
5. Experienced DO Wanted
   
   There is a vacancy for an experienced DO at Maltings Eyecare, St Albans. 2 days per week. Please contact davidabrahams@blueyonder.co.uk for further details.
6. Research Project Results – Digital Eye Strain
   In February this year, we requested assistance with a research study from Aston University. The study has now been completed and its results have just been published in Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics.  You can read the results by clicking HERE.
7. Trial of “Free glasses to tackle poor eyesight and boost literacy”
   The Department for Education has launched a trial in certain areas (not including Herts yet, unfortunately) providing free glasses to improve literacy to thousands of pupils. Further information can be found HERE.
8. FODO News
   Is HERE, including information on changes to the next CET cycle, EeRS, GOC consultation on new requirements for CLOs, ABDO and College position on mandatory vaccinations, National Eye Health Week and updates from the General Optical Council.

Kind regards

Herts LOC