GOS Contracts, NOC Report, DO CPD, HCQ And FODO News

26 November 2022

We have 5 items for you today:

1. GOS Contract Management Moving to ICBs
   As of 1^st April 2023, the responsibility for GOS services will transition to the Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
   It is most important that any contractors who have not responded to the emails from “Attain” (or to reminders sent via both Optometry East and the Gateway), should now confirm their details are up to date, as soon as possible.
   If a reissued NHS contract is not in place by 1^st April 2023, there is a possibility that payments for GOS could be withheld.

   Please direct any completed responses or queries to england.optometryeast@nhs.net 

   If you hold a mandatory GOS contract and believe you have not received any communication from Attain, please contact OptometryEast on the email address above and they will be able to help you, and send you any necessary correspondence for your completion. 

2. National Optical Conference October 2022
   
   Committee member Anita Jones accompanied Jane Bunker, LOC Chair, to Leeds for the annual NOC, the first time it has been held as face to face since 2019. Jane’s report can be found HERE.
3. CPD for DOs by NHSBSA, “GOS in England- Will it get paid?”
   Following their recent CPD for Optoms on GOS claims and recalls, NHSBSA are now running a session for DOs. They say: 

   “We are pleased to make available dates for a Dispensing Optician CPD presentation event online.

   Below are details of the free CPD C-103956 from the NHSBSA, which your employees and colleagues can book themselves on. Non-Dispensing Opticians are welcome to attend but would not receive a CPD point. 

   This interactive CPD qualifies within the GOC Leadership and Accountability domain and will give some guidance on how early recall codes should be applied on GOS sight tests in England.

   Please feel free to cascade the information below to anyone you feel would benefit from attending. Thank You

   To book a place please visit https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/provider-assurance-ophthalmic “.

   Please note, once you have clicked on the link, you will need to expand the section marked “Free Continuing Professional Development (CPD)”.

4. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)
   We have had several queries from Optometrists requesting guidance for examining a patient on Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and we have also been advised that some Rheumatology Consultants are suggesting the patient asks for a ‘free sight test’ when they are put on HCQ.

   The current understanding is that most Optical practices will not have the required equipment to screen for the retinopathy (as per The Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ Guidelines). The results of retinopathy screening should also have oversight by an Ophthalmologist.
   Since a ‘normal’ eye examination would not necessarily find the early signs of toxicity, a patient should not be led to believe they have had retinopathy screening. If they subsequently developed retinopathy which was undetected by the Optometrist, then the Optometrist may be put at risk of a litigation.

   Please advise us (admin@HertsLOC.org.uk) of any situations you are aware of where patients who are taking HCQ and are now requesting screening by the Optometrist, so we can raise these concerns with the ICB on your behalf.

5. FODO News
   Is HERE, including GOC seeks new Companies Committee members, LOCSU’s Leadership Skills course opens for 2023 applications and a Reminder from HMRC to declare Covid-19 payments on tax returns. Their update from 28th October can be found HERE, including a change to the email address for NEW GOS contract applications, LOCSU promotes leadership programme and Warnings of financial pressures for NHS England.

Kind regards

Herts LOC