What CPD Do You Need, GOS Vouchers, Supply Of Drugs (Non IP), FODO News

7 May 2024

We have 4 items for you today:

1. What CPD do you need?
   As it’s the last of year of the current cycle, we wanted to find out what CPD you still need and how best we can help you. We can’t, of course, cover everything but we will try to provide the most requested options. Please complete the form below. All the questions are optional and you don’t have to include your details, but please do if you want a reply to a query. Thanks.

   The form is HERE.

2. Revised GOS Fees and Voucher Values
   
   As you may be aware, GOS sight test fees have been increased, as have GOS spectacle voucher values.

   The letter from the government setting out the new values can be found HERE. We will post a link to the useful “Vouchers at a Glance” format as soon as it is updated.

   The LOC have made representations to the ICB about how unacceptable this small increase is, and how the GOS fee fails to cover the actual cost of an eye examination. The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) have also made representations on a national level, as advised in our previous newsletter.

3. Supply and use of drugs in optometric practice
   Following a couple of recent enquiries regarding the supply of Prescription Only Medicines (POM) and other drugs by NON-IP OPTOMS, your attention is drawn to the College of Optometrists guidance HERE, which is part of their wider advice on the use of drugs in Optometry, HERE. There is further information on the Gov.uk website, HERE.  Relevant guidance for Dispensing Opticians can be found on the ABDO website HERE.
4. FODO News
   Is HERE, including NHS primary care gets funding cut, I-SCREEN project to develop an AI-based infrastructure for the early detection and monitoring of age-related macular degeneration and RAC and College campaign on headlight glare.

 

Kind regards

Herts LOC