NOC, Herts Vision Loss, Paper GOS, CPD, RNIB And FODO News

23 November 2023

We have 7 items for you today:

1. National Optical Conference (NOC) 2023
   

   LOCSU’s National Optical Conference, otherwise known as the NOC, took place at Wyboston Lakes in Bedfordshire from Monday 13 to Tuesday 14 November. Four members of Herts LOC attended and we all found the event interesting, informative and helpful in supporting you, our practitioners. LOCSU have advised:  

   “NOC 2023 was a great success and saw bumper numbers attending the conference.

   Delegates heard updates on a range of topics including information from Zoe Richmond and Wojciech Karwatowski on a standard service specification for minor and urgent eyecare for England, a keynote address on Monday from Chris Hopson, Chief Strategy Officer at NHS England and a presentation from Professor James Kingsland who discussed the importance of LOCs and regional work to amplify national strategies to make a difference to patient outcomes.

   In addition to this, Monday afternoon gave delegates the opportunity build their own conference and choose from over twenty different workshops.”

   Janice Foster, LOCSU CEO, ended the conference by sharing how she felt the NOC went and what happens next.”

   Further information can be found HERE.

2. Herts Vision Loss Have Moved
   
   They advise:
   “We are thrilled to announce that Herts Vision Loss have moved to our new premises. Our new address is:  

   2 Brownfields
   Welwyn Garden City
   Herts
   AL7 1AN

   Please note:  we are currently experiencing some technical difficulties with our phone line. If you would like to contact the charity, please email office@hertsvisionloss.org.uk We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

   Our referral contact sheet will be updated with this information soon, we will let you know.

3. Paper GOS Forms Ending – A Reminder
   Further to the NHSE email in July, and our article of 14th October, all contractors should be aware that from the 1^st January 2024, contractors will no longer be able to submit paper GOS forms. We are advised that there are a few practices in our region who are still using paper forms. The ICB say they will be contacting these directly but we urge any contractors who are still using paper forms to make the change well before the end of the year. They can contact their Practice Management Software Provider, contact the ICB at hweicbhv.optical@nhs.net or email us at admin@hertsLOC.org.uk for guidance. Further information can be found at Move to online GOS claims | PCSE (england.nhs.uk) . 
4. CPD – CHEC Watford 6th December –  “AMD : New Frontiers”
   
   CHEC are running a CPD event at their Watford, Atria Centre on Wednesday 6^th December 2023 from 7pm to 9pm. The topic is ‘AMD: New Frontiers’ and is being hosted by Mr. Samer Elsherbiny. Further details can be found on their flyer, HERE.
5. CPD Webinar 22nd November – “Evidence Based Practice: the different types of research and how to use this for pre-myopic children” 
   
   Hoya are running a webinar on Wednesday November 22nd at 7:30 PM, “Evidence Based Practice: the different types of research and how to use this for pre-myopic children”. Further information and registration can be found HERE. They advise: “After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar and a unique link , please do not share your unique link.”
6. RNIB Update
   We have been sent an interesting and useful update from the RNIB, including a new booklet they are issuing, their Low Vison Peer Network and a new E-Learning module with CPD points. The full update is below.
7. FODO News
   Is HERE, including The Eye Care Support Pathway, ABDO to launch new paediatrics certificate and changes at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Their update from 10th November is HERE, including Chief Medical Officer promotes importance of sight tests, World’s first eye transplant and Gaps in sight loss research.

Kind regards

Herts LOC
 

RNIB has published a new booklet called Waiting to See an Eye Specialist. Waiting to see an eye specialist (windows.net)

If you would like to order some of the booklets for use in clinic you can do so in these ways:

You can order a maximum of nine copies from the RNIB Shop

If you would like to order more than nine, then please email our Publications Team. Just email (quoting ref PR20468) to @PublicationOrders Mailbox with the volume (up to 50) and delivery address.

I’d also like to bring your attention to RNIB’s Low Vision Peer Network. This is a peer network for people actively involved in providing low vision services and includes peer discussion events, webinars, soon to be launched journal club and a quarterly newsletter. The Low Vision Network is delivered by RNIB’s optometry team whose work includes the delivery of our flagship Low Vision Service in London.

If anyone is keen to join this network they can register their details here Sign up to the RNIB Low Vision Peer Network.

Finally, you might find it useful to know that RNIB has recently launched an e-learning module “Sight Loss Awareness” which has a wider intended audience. This course is credited with 3 CPD points.

This E-module covering sight loss awareness, is intended for optometrists and dispensing opticians in primary care as well as all practice staff, commissioners and anyone all involved in supporting people with sight loss.  Please email LearningChoices@rnib.org.uk with your request to access this course.

Module contents are:

Part 1 – Understanding Sight Loss

• Certification and registration
• Types of Sight loss
• How I see
• Charles Bonnet Syndrome
• Eye conditions – Understanding Glaucoma, retinal dystrophies, cataract, AMD, diabetic retinopathy
• Attitudes and Assumptions
• Communicating with people with sight loss

Part 2 – Services and Support

• Emotional support
• ECLO and sight loss advice
• Employment advice
• Legal
• Eye health info
• Children and Young People
• Reading, resources and leisure
• Low Vision
• Tech Services
• Rehabilitation services
• Mobility
• Adaptations (bigger, brighter, bolder, audio, tactile etc

Part 3 – Low Vision

• Low Vision Assessment
• Assistive technology