COVID Testing, CET Claims, GOS Forms, Email For Locums, OCL Evening And FODO News

7 September 2022

We have 8 items for you today:

1. Asymptomatic testing for COVID-19 will be paused from 31 August
   
   The Dept of Health and Social Care advises that asymptomatic testing will be paused from 31st August. They say that symptomatic testing will continue to be provided in some settings, including for NHS staff and staff in NHS-funded independent healthcare provision. The full statement can be found HERE. Should we receive any further information from the Optical Bodies, we will let you know.
2. CET Claims
   The CET Claims window for is open until 31st October. PCSE advise that the correct procedure is now available on their website. Further information and how to claim can be found HERE.
3. GOS Forms – Making Accurate Claims in England 2022
   This extremely useful guide, which has recently been updated and reissued by FODO, ABDO and the AOP, can be found HERE. It gives valuable guidance on the issuing and completing of GOS forms and NHS entitlements. This can be bookmarked, downloaded and/or printed should you wish.
4. DO / Student DO / OA Vacancy
   
   Redbourn Eyecare say: “We are a small, independent eyecare practice in the quintessential English village of Redbourn in St Albans. We are looking for a newly qualified Dispensing Optician, student Dispensing Optician, or experienced Optical Assistant on a 4 or 5 days per week basis, starting as soon as possible. Please contact Karan at 07517215454 or info@redbourneyecare.co.uk with a CV if interested.”
5. Secure email for Locums
   As you may be aware, locums are not able to register to have their “own” NHS email address. There are, however, a couple of things which may help:

   Firstly, if you work at a practice regularly, you could ask the practice owner or manager there if they would be prepared to register you for an NHS email address via their practice, if they are able to.

   Alternatively, there is a system provided by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) known as “Egress” which allows Locums to send and receive secure, encrypted email in a more basic form. There are limits on what you can send, for example PDF attachments may not accepted.

   PCSE’s guide to Egress can be found here HERE.

   Further information and a link to register can be found HERE.

   For further help about Egress you can email NHSBSA at nhsbsa.paos@nhs.net

6. OCL Vision Elstree CPD Event & Launch Drinks
   This in-person event will be held from 5pm on Thursday 15th September 2022 at the Village Hotel Watford. There will be an opportunity to gain 4 CPD points for OOs and DOs, and visit their brand new clinic in Elstree. Further information and the registration form can be found HERE. They advise that ticket availability is limited.
7. College Clinical Management Guidelines – Primary Angle Closure
   
   
   
   The College of Optometrists has some helpful clinical management guidelines on their website, HERE, including an excellent guide on Primary Angle Closure / Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PAC / PACG), HERE.
8. FODO News
   Is HERE, including “OFNC sight test timing survey”, “OC publishes new CPD guides” and “Retinitis pigmentosa research awarded $2.5m”. Their update from 19th August is HERE, including “College issues new guidance on myopia management”, “Booster jabs from September” and “GOC publishes approved qualifications for contact lens opticians”.

Kind regards

Herts LOC