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GOS Fees, Light Therapy For AMD, SpaMedica Cats, London CPD And FODO News

7 May 2024

We have 6 items for you today:

  1. Derisory GOS Fee Increase
    The Government has announced that, despite the clear rejection of its offer by the sector, it has decided to impose another real-terms cut to the NHS sight test fee. Therefore, from 1 April 2024, the GOS sight test fee will increase by just 39p to £23.53 in England.

    There will also be no increase in the domiciliary visiting fee nor in the pre-registration training grant nor (for the second year running) in the CPD grant.The full statement issued by the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) on this can be found on FODO’s website, HERE.

  2. Encouraging results from light therapy study for dry AMD

    The Macular Society have issued an interesting article regarding early results from a study assessing the effectiveness of the Valeda Light Delivery System for treating dry age-related macular degeneration, which can be found HERE. 
  3. SpaMedica Cataract Post-Operative Accreditation Webinar
    SpaMedica are running a webinar for their Cataract Post-Op Scheme accreditation on Wednesday 3rd April 2024 from 6:30pm. They advise that 2 CPD points are available. Further details and registration is HERE.
  4. Refractive Surgery CPD event in London
    Laser Eye Clinic (LEC) London are hosting a CPD event, “Recent advancements in Refractive Surgery and Presbyopia management” on Wednesday 17th April 2024 from 6.30pm at LEC London, 163-169 Brompton Road, London, SW3 1PY. Further details and registration can be found HERE.
  5. LOCSU News 

    Is HERE including GOC Workforce and Perceptions Survey and GOC’s Consultation on Revised Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians, Standards for Optical Students and Standards for Optical Businesses.
  6. FODO News
    Is HERE including World Optometry Week, Applications for the 2024 Scope Eyecare Independent Prescriber Bursary Scheme are open and Waiting times mapped.
  7.  

Kind regards

Herts LOC

Hertfordshire LOC Latest News

Applications to Join Herts LOC

Hi all Applications invited for Local NHS Contractors and Performers to join Hertfordshire Local Optical Committee Herts LOC always like to welcome new members to increase the diversity of experience, backgrounds and opinions amongst our cohort. The LOC meets quarterly, along with an annual AGM. At these meetings we discuss a wide variety of topics which …

12 February 2025

GOS Pitfalls, Watford waiting times, FODO News

We have 3 items for you today: NHSBSA: Common Pitfalls with GOS Claiming NHSBSA recently ran a webinar, “Common Pitfalls with GOS Claiming”, around how to ensure GOS claims are accurate and avoiding PPV issues. Their key takeaways were: • Note the condition and age of patient’s spectacles. • Focimeter spectacles and avoid just copying the previous …

12 February 2025

GOS Claims held process, FODO News and Merry Chirstmas!

We have 4 items for you today: GOS Claims Held Process The ICB advise that they are contacting Contractors who have been affected by an issue around GOS1 claims, where there has been a legitimate early test but they have not been paid by PCSE and remaining as “pending”.  They are working on a solution but have said that, in the meantime, affected …

12 February 2025

Cat Waiting Times, CHEC contact number, LOCSU and FODO News

We have 4 items for you today: Waiting times for ENH Trust (Lister) and WHH Trust (Watford) Please find below the waiting times for NHS patients at the 3 Local Acute Trusts. We are hoping that this will become a regular update and will include other providers in due course, with thanks to the Trusts and ICB for …

12 February 2025

Additional Early Recall Codes For GOS

Hi all Please find below an email from NHS England outlining additional early recall codes for certain situations. Apologies for any issues with the layout. Kind regards  Herts LOC  , Dear colleague   I am writing to you to provide an update on an interim PCSE system change which will be introduced overnight on 28/29 …

12 February 2025

Referrals, Vacancy, CPD, FODO News

We have 4 items for you today: Referrals in Hertfordshire, including Watford and CHEC We have been advised that practices are being told by another provider that CHEC’s contract is being decommissioned next year. The ICB have confirmed that this is NOT THE CASE and the relevant provider has been told to stop giving out inaccurate information. …

12 February 2025

Waiting times for Lister and Watford, Translation Service, CHEC Hours, LOCSU and FODO News

We have 5 items for you today: Waiting times for ENH Trust (Lister) and WHH Trust (Watford) Please find below the waiting times for NHS patients at the 2 Acute Trusts in Herts. We are hoping that this will become a regular update and will include other providers in due course, with thanks to the Trusts and …

12 February 2025

Tell us your problems, CPD, FODO News

We have 3 items for you today: Tell us more of your problems! Thanks to everyone who has completed our survey form regarding issues around referrals. We would really like more examples, please, especially specific instances where Px care or even safety has been at risk or suffered.  We have created a very simple form for you to …

4 September 2024

Tell us your problems!

Tell us your problems! No, we’re not starting a counselling service but we do want you to tell us about your concerns, poor experiences and difficulties relating to the current referral pathways and lack of services in Hertfordshire. We are hoping to collect as much data as possible to strengthen our drive to get services commissioned, to …

24 July 2024

Sight Loss Support Survey, CPD Claims, CPD Webinar, Hypertension Pilot, LOCSU and FODO News

We have 6 items for you today: Sight Loss Support Survey One of our committee members is working with Hertfordshire County Council’s Sensory Services on the creation of an information leaflet about local support, resources and signposting, to distribute to adults in Hertfordshire with sight loss. As part of this, we would be grateful if …

24 July 2024

LOCSU Latest news

LOCSU Is Excited To Announce That Registration for the National Optical Conference 2025 (NOC25) Is Now Live!

This year’s event will take place on Sunday 18 – Monday 19 May 2025 at Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

6 March 2025

Supporting Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians throughout Hertfordshire.