GOS Recalls, CPD Requirements, Pre-Reg Training Grant, LOCSU And FODO News

4 January 2023

We have 7 items for you today:

1. GOS Recalls
   Several of our committee members have attended the recent NHSBSA CPD on GOS entitled, “Can I or can I not claim?” and have found the session informative and useful. We encourage any Optoms and DOs who have not yet attended to do so via their website, HERE. Their primary, “Take-Away” points are:• The “Memorandum of Understanding” and “Vouchers at a Glance” recall periods are NOT a stipulation. There is no automatic necessity or entitlement to recall a patient at this interval, they should be considered the minimum recommended recall periods for those Pxs where it is clinically necessary to bring a Px back early.• All adult GOS patients should be on a 24 month recall unless there is a clinical justification.• The recall code MUST be noted on the clinical record as well as the GOS/eGOS form.•Clinical records must contain VAs in all circumstances (with previous spex, or with the last Rx in the trial frame, whichever is the most recent).• Always make a note of the condition and age of the previous spectacles (Good or Bad).• Practitioners are advised to note the suggestive recall code for the next visit on the current record where a Px has been advised of an early recall, in order to assist the practitioner at the next examination.NHSBSA advise that any queries regarding recalls should be directed towards PCSE (their “Contact Us” page is HERE) in the first instance.
2. GOC CPD Requirements
   FODO advise that the GOC have confirmed that six points this year is a “recommendation and not a requirement”. Hence “your GOC registration will not be affected” if you do not have time to update your CPD record before 1 January 2023. This confirmation can also be found in a tweet from the GOC HERE, which was issued by them after “MyGOC” had been down for a period.
3. Pre-Reg Training Grant
   We have been advised, with thanks, that when a contractor applies for a pre-registration training grant online it is necessary to select the option stating that it is a “transformed submission” which is, apparently, their way of saying it is an online application. Further information about the grant can be found HERE.
4. LOC Practice Mailing List – a gentle reminder!
   Thanks to everyone who has already signed up.For anyone who missed our recent email, we are setting up a mailing list of practices in Herts which will be in addition to the list that you are currently subscribed to. This is so we can send out important information to every practice when necessary.If you are a practice owner or manager who has not yet signed up, please help us to help you by completing the short form HERE.  Please also forward this email to any contractors or managers you know and encourage them to sign up!
5. LOCSU News
   Is HERE, including their Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Report, NHS Primary Care Coaching, National OCT Conference and 100% Optical (NB registration for the event has opened but CPD booking has not yet begun, further details are on the LOCSU news linked above)
6. FODO News
   Can be found HERE, including Patient safety update – referrals for eye care services in England, The government has responded to calls for an eye care strategy for England and GOC consultation – process for updating registered gender. They have also issued a statement on double cover – medical malpractice insurance, HERE.
7. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your LOC
   We wish all our practitioners and their families a happy, peaceful and joyful Christmas and a positive and prosperous New Year. We thank you for reading our regular newsletters and remind you that we are here to support you throughout the year. We can be contacted at admin@HertsLOC.org.uk and are always pleased to hear from you.

Kind regards

Herts LOC