Wet AMD – Moorfields @PB, CHEC Stevenage, Referral Contacts List, DSPT, LOCSU And FODO News

16 August 2023

We have 6 items for you today:

1. Wet AMD Pathway at Potters Bar and Updated Referral Contacts List
   
   You may not be aware that Moorfields at Potters Bar offer a fast track direct referral pathway for Wet AMD which is available to all optometrists. They advise:

   “Please use the Wet AMD Rapid Access form (see below for link) to refer suitable patients and send the completed form to moorfields.pottersbaradmin@nhs.net. 
    
   Moorfields at Potters Bar Wet AMD Fast Track Referral Form 
    
   Please note this pathway is only for patients with symptoms and clinical features of treatable wet AMD and not for other conditions.
    
   With reference to the form, at least one of the answers to questions 1,2,3 should be YES:

   • visual loss present (visual acuity between 6/12 and 6/96 to meet NICE guidelines for anti-VEGF treatment)
   • distortion noted
   • central scotoma 

   In the eye with wet AMD there should also be either:

   • macular haemorrhage (retinal, subretinal) 
   • subretinal or intraretinal fluid 
   • exudate”

   Any queries should be directed to Janice Oster at j.oster@nhs.net 
    
   They also have a Cataract Direct Referral Pathway, which optoms need prior accreditation to use. Further details and accreditation enquiries should also go to Janice Oster, as above.

   We have added these details, together with CHEC Stevenage as below, to our referral contacts list HERE.

2.  Update on CHEC Stevenage for E&N Herts patients
   Following confirmation from the ICB, any East & North Herts (ENH) patient choosing CHEC Stevenage for their cataract services, can be referred directly by accredited practitioners using the CHEC portal.

   For all other non urgent eye conditions, patients from E&N Herts should be referred via their GP so that they can be offered a choice of provider by their GP. 

   To summarise, Optometrists should not refer patients directly to CHEC Stevenage for any other ophthalmology condition except cataract.

   For further details about the cataract pathway and accreditation enquiries contact Joshua Cooper at joshua.c@chec.uk

   Ophthalmology services provided by CHEC Watford for South & West Herts patients remain unchanged.
    

3. Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT)
   
   We have been advised that the DSPT for 2023-2024 is due to be released on the NHS Toolkit Website, HERE, on 14th August. The version available through QiO, HERE, is due to be released on 16th August. Any practices which need DSPT compliance (and as this is likely to be almost everyone as it is a requirement to use NHS mail) MUST ensure that they have met the standards for the 2022-23 toolkit as a minimum, and complete the 2023-2024 version before June 2024. Any earlier versions are no longer valid as they do not meet the current standards.
4. HWE Celebrating Primary Care Achievements
   Herts and West Essex Integrated Care Board (HWE ICB) have asked us to send out the following:

   Dear Colleagues
    
   We are reaching out to let you know that we have extended the deadline for nominations to HWE Celebrating Primary Care Achievements until Friday 11^th August at 5 pm. We have attached the application form for ease and further information can be found here: Celebrating Achievements in Primary Care 2023 (hwetraininghub.org.uk). This is a great opportunity to showcase your hard work and efforts over the past year.
    
   We look forward to receiving your nominations.
    
   Kind regards
    
   HWE ICB Training Hub
   Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB

   A flyer with further information can be found HERE, and the nomination form can be downloaded HERE. We are aware that this document may not format correctly on Apple devices.

5. LOCSU News
   Can be found HERE, including the National Optical Conference, LOCSU Transformation – Organisation Restructure and Dry Eye Month.
6. FODO News
   
   Is HERE, including Get ready for National Eye Health Week (NEHW), Get involved – research into convergence insufficiency and other sector news.

Kind regards
Herts LOC