Referrals, Vaccinations, CPDs, Low Vision, Vacancy, Domi Webinar,FODO News

23 November 2023

We have 10 items for you today:

1. Clarification on Referrals for East & North Herts (ENH) Patients Only
   The earlier communication we sent on behalf of the ICB (14^th Oct 2023) regarding Optometrist referrals in the ENH ICS area has caused some confusion as to how to refer patients correctly. Further clarification has been sought, details are as follows:

   Since there is currently no commissioned referral management centre for E&NH patients (unlike in S&W Herts where they have CHEC) and there is an NHS duty of care requirement to offer a full choice of service provider to the patient, we need to ensure we are acting in the patient’s best interest for their onward referral.

   For all non-cataract referrals, we advise you continue to send your referrals directly to the patient’s GP. GPs are funded to ‘offer choice’ to the patient for onward referral.

   For cataract services, the situation is now more complex:

   • If you are already accredited to send cataract referrals directly to NHS Trusts such as Addenbrooke’s, Moorfields at both Potters Bar and Bedford as part of their Pre Op Pathways, then it is acceptable to continue with this provided you are making the patients aware that there are also “other providers of cataract surgery” available.

   • If you are accredited to any of the independent providers such as Optegra, CHEC, SpaMedica and so on, you can still refer directly to them provided you have also offered your patient a choice and they have selected this provider.

   • If you are unable to offer choice for your patient for cataract surgery elsewhere, we advise you refer cataract patients directly to the GP to enable them to meet the choice regulations.

   I hope this has clarified the current referral recommendations/advice for ENH patients.

   Finally, as a reminder, please do consider the GOC’s ‘Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians’ (https://optical.org/optomanddostandards/16-be-honest-and-trustworthy/) : “16.3 Ensure that incentives, targets and similar factors do not affect your professional judgement. Do not allow personal or commercial interests and gains to compromise patient safety.”

   Jane,
   Chair, Herts LOC  

2. Covid-19 and Flu Vaccinations Now Open To All Staff
   
   We are advised, with thanks, that all patient-facing Optical staff, including Optoms, CLOs, DOs, OAs, Receptionists and Px facing support staff, can book Covid-19 and ‘Flu vaccinations HERE, or via the NHS app. You will need to state that you are a Frontline NHS Worker when asked for the reason.
3. Western Eye Hospital Updated Contact Details
   We are also advised, with thanks, of updated contact details for the Western Eye hospital, which have been added this to our Referral Contact list. This can be downloaded HERE, and saved and/or printed as you wish.

   If you are ever aware of inaccuracies, omissions or any issues with this list, please do let us know by emailing admin@HertsLOC.org.uk 

4. CPD Points Certificates from BiB Event
   Following the excellent BiB CPD event and roadshow last month, if any attendees have not yet received certificates for all their points (1 for the lecture plus 3 for the peer review), please could you email us at admin@HertsLOC.org.uk with your name, email address you registered with and your GOC number and we will forward the enquiry to the event organisers on your behalf.
5. Dispensing Optician/Dispensing Assistant Wanted
   The practice owner advises:

   St Albans Eye Care Centre is a successful boutique practice in St Albans. Because of our growth we are currently looking to add an ambitious, like-minded, client-focused dispensing optician or experienced dispensing assistant to our current superstar team. If you’ve ever dreamed about what it would be like to be part of a high performing team that gets spectacular results and has fun in the process, then you should act quickly.

   To apply, go to www.stalbanseyecare.com/hiring to hear a recorded message from the owner and then fill in the form to tell us why you think you’d be a great fit for this role

6. CPD Webinar 16th November.
   
   Optegra are running another of their successful webinars on Thursday 16th November, between 6.45 and 8pm, entitled “Modern IOL Implant Options For Cataract Surgery”. Further details and registration can be found HERE.
7. Optometrist low vision survey
   We have been asked by a postdoctoral research fellow at Anglia Ruskin University to forward the following:

   “We are currently distributing a survey to investigate Optometrists knowledge of the Certification of Visual Impairment process and knowledge of the support available to low vision patients within their area. We are planning to use this data to develop Continuing Professional Development and informative articles for Optometrists to help with advising their low vision patients.  

   The link to the survey is below.   

   https://angliaruskin.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/optometrists-questionnaire    

   Any help is greatly appreciated.  

   Kind regards   
   Emily Charlesworth”

8. PVN webinar for domiciliary providers
   PCSE are running a webinar for domiciliary providers. They say:
    

   Dear Colleague,

   Following our Domiciliary update on 5 September 2023 about making changes to PVNs, you told us that you would like us to host a webinar to cover completing and submitting a PVN, GOS 6 and GOS 3 claims.   We would like to thank you for your feedback and invite all domiciliary providers to join PCSE to learn about PVN management in PCSE Online. Common issues and quick fixes will be discussed, along with providing a system demonstration to offer guidance. We will also provide the opportunity for a Q&A session at the end. The webinar will take place on Thursday 16 November 2023 at 6pm – 7pm PCSE are keen to learn about the challenges domiciliary providers currently face and aim to provide guidance around these issues. If you would like us to cover any specific content around the PVN or GOS6 process during the webinar, you can let us know when you sign up to request your invite, here.   Please note, we cannot deal with individual cases in this session but we will cover wider themes and activities to help address your questions.   If you are unable to attend, we would encourage you to still sign up so a recording of the webinar can be sent to you.    Please forward this email to any colleagues who will also benefit from attending.   We look forward to seeing you at the webinar.

   Best wishes, The PCSE Ophthalmic Payments Team

9. Survey on potential IP Peer Review Event in London
   
   OCL advise:

   IP Peer Review Event Let us know if you are interested We are planning to organise our first event for Independent Prescribing Optometrists in our New Cavendish St Clinic. We are keen to understand how many of you and your team would be interested in joining.  The event will be a chance to gain your CPD points, engage in a case study discussion with our consultant ophthalmologists, have a tour of our Cavendish St facility and enjoy some great food and drinks. Please click on the button below to let us know if you are interested.

   Fill the Survey here

   We will be in touch in due course with more details regarding the event and how to register. The Team at OCL Vision

10. FODO News
    Is HERE, including Royal College responds to hidden waiting list research, GOC publishes report on education and Trial finds potential effective treatment for Acanthamoeba keratitis. Their update from 27th October is HERE, including Ophthalmology tops hidden waiting list in England, Joint sector statement on GOC survey and The College of Optometrists launches national media campaign to urge the public to wear their glasses for night driving, and their update from 20th October is HERE, including College mask wearing advice, Study to track avoidable sight loss and Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime).

Kind regards

Herts LOC