GOS Test Re-Call Dates (updated March 2023)
12 March 2023
Recent NHS SBA CPD events take away messages;
MoU and Voucher at a Glance recall periods are not a stipulation.
Start with 24 month recall for all 16+ patients, then clinically justify whether a shorter recall period is needed.
Record habitual va’s in all circumstances (with specs or with old rx in trial frame)
Always make a note of the condition and age of the spectacles (Good or Bad)
encourage the use of recall codes for all sight test intervals less than 24 months
recall codes on GOS form = recall codes on clinical records
start suggesting recall codes on Clinical Records for next optometrist.
Code 6 can be used for unusual circumstances such as last Optometrist recommending a shorter recall with no obvious reason on the record.
During the 2019 NHS audits, it was brought to the attention of NTWLOC committee that not all practices were aware of the changes to recall dates for Diabetics.
With the more widespread advent of diabetic retinopathy screening, minimum non-codable recall for a Diabetic patient, who is under Diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) and has no other issues is now 2yrs. If the patient is not under DRS, recall remains 1 year.
At the 2019 LOC AGM the CET was on appropriate recalls and one thing that seemed to surprise people was a Glaucoma patient under the HES should be on a 2-year recall.
This also applies to patients over the age of 70 years old. They will not automatically be a 12-month recall unless a clinical reason is justified on the record card to see them. A patient over 70 years with no reason for an early recall should be on a 2-year recall.
The recall dates on the memorandum of understanding are not recommended recall dates, but the minimum recall date without the need to code the GOS 1.
Recall dates are of course a clinical decision and entirely in the purview of the clinician, advice on recall frequency can be found in the College of Optometrists Guidance for professional practice, however as per college guidelines reasons for recall period should be noted on patient record, as this may be needed to justify early recall of audited by NHS.
Making Accurate Claims was re-published by the AOP in 2022 HERE.
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17 July 2024
Glaucoma Repeat Readings
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17 July 2024
Glaucoma Enhanced Referral Service – GERS (North of Tyne)
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15 May 2024
North East and North Cumbria Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub
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25 April 2024
Use NHS Service Finder to obtain GP practice NHS emails
Instructions have been sent to Contractors to help Performers (optometrists) send referrals and communications to GP via NHS mail. Sent Feb 2024. Please remember these should be sent from practice SHARED MAIL BOXES were possible (rather than personal NHS mail addresses) or EGRESS for those who do not have access to NHS mail accounts.
22 February 2024