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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

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We have 6 items for you today: Updated Referral Contacts List following change to EyeV in S & W Herts As all urgent, wAMD and routine referrals for patients with GPs in south and west Herts (but NOT emergencies) must now go via EyeV, we have updated our popular Referral Contacts List, HERE.  We have also highlighted in red …

1 May 2025

S+W SPoA goes live, GOS1 Tax Credits, Wait Times, OCT Crib Sheet, LOCSU News

We have 7 items for you today: New Single Point of Access Goes Live for Referrals in South and West Herts Further to our previous newsletters, EyeV has now taken over as the access point for all routine and urgent referrals in South and West Herts. An update from the ICB is below, including instructions …

1 May 2025

HCQ Pathway, EyeV S+W Referrals, OFNC Statement on GOS Fees, FODO News

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1 May 2025

CPD Peer Review (inc IP), LOCSU and FODO News

We have 3 items for you today: Herts LOC/NewMedica Peer Review CPD Event and LOC AGM 1st April in Welwyn We are pleased to invite you to a joint Herts LOC/Newmedica In-Person CPD Event, “Expect the Unexpected, navigating post-operative complications” on Tuesday 1st April 2025, at Tewinbury Farm, Welwyn, AL6 0JB. Newmedica advise: “This provider-led peer review will focus on navigating post-operative complications in …

1 May 2025

Changes to Referrals in South and West Herts

The local Integrated Care Board (ICB) advise that from 1st April 2025, Non-Emergency referrals for patients with GPs in South and West Hertfordshire must no longer be sent to Community Health and Eye Care (CHEC). A new provider, EyeV, has been commissioned. Please find below a letter from the ICB explaining this, and the process …

1 May 2025

CPD Save the Date, Referral Contacts List, Waiting Times, PCSE Downtime, FODO News

We have 5 items for you today: CPD Save The Date Herts LOC are planning an in-person CPD event in Welwyn on the evening of Tuesday 1st April 2025. Details will follow soon but we thought we’d give you a head-up on the date so you can keep it free. Referral Contacts List A new …

1 May 2025

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

LOCSU Latest news

NOC25 App Now Available for Download!

Delegates can now use the app to view and book workshops for Sunday 18 May, ensuring they secure a spot in the sessions that interest them the most.

2 May 2025

Supporting Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians throughout Hertfordshire.