Primary Care Optical Practice is a hugely undervalued aspect of eye health.
4 March 2021
Primary Care Optical Practices have the skill set, workforce, clinical capability, equipment and, most importantly, the willingness to improve the eye health opportunity and eye health journey of our local communities. However, it needs to be recognised that Primary Care Optical Practices can no longer be expected to provide services under goodwill or through the potential misuse of GOS.
We appreciate those who choose to work beyond GOS, do so in the best interests of their patients and to support their local eye department at this difficult time. However we also must be mindful of GOS regulation.
Rest assured that NTW LOC are meeting regularly with colleagues from NuTH. Their senior management and clinical team recognise our challenges and we are working together to present a case for change and to progress the recent proposal. We also continue to liaise with other local trusts and secondary care colleagues to promote and progress Primary Care Optical Practice involvement in local eye health systems.
NTWLOC are striving to change the situation locally and earn Primary Care Optical Practice the respect and remuneration deserved. However, this will not be possible while practices continue to provide information and services free of charge.
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear LOC Latest News
North East and North Cumbria NHS Plan
The NENC Integrated Care Board have produced a plan for the next few years. The joint forward plan provides a: • strategic overview of the key priorities and objectives for the medium term. • high-level summary of our priorities and objectives • summary of the work programmes we will deliver to achieve our medium-term objectives. …
Continue reading “North East and North Cumbria NHS Plan”
25 April 2024
“YAG Capsulotomy For Optometrists.” online CPD
Tees LOC and Durham LOC would like to invite you to an online CPD We are delighted to offer the CPD lecture from Aston University by Imogen Hawthorne. Imogen is currently the Co-Lead for the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice at Aston University, as well as the Deputy Clinical Lead for a community ophthalmology service in …
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25 April 2024
Pre-Cataract Pathway and Referrals for people registered with North of Tyne GP’s.
Primary Eyecare Services (PES) and Northumberland Tyne and Wear LOC have been working together to streamline the cataract referral process for patients. PES has been in contact with all the local Independent Sector Providers (ISPs) of cataract surgery to discuss the option of developing a pre-cataract pathway for their patients which will run alongside the …
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11 April 2024
Now LIVE! NuTH GRR, GERS and Glaucoma Monitoring Service
We would like to inform you that Primary Eye Care Services, in collaboration with the ICB and NuTH will launch the following Community Optometry services for patients registered with GP’s in Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle Gateshead. The Services Glaucoma Repeat Readings (GRR) This is an established service which works by repeating pressure checks with …
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9 March 2024
Now LIVE! Direct referral for cataract surgery service for Newcastle Eye Centre plus Post-op data collection service.
Find the details and register to participate see your emails. If you have any issues with OPERA please contact hello@referral.support. Any pathway queries should be directed to angela.henderson@primaryeyecare.co.uk and Naomi.smith@primaryeyecare.co.uk
8 March 2024
Eye Care Electronic Referral System (EeRS) Rolls out North of Tyne
Contractors check your emails NTW and Durham LOC have concerns that currently have not been addressed however NuTH are very keen to proceed. The LOC would welcome thoughts and feedback from members to help us shape our ongoing conversations. Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust (NUTH) Ophthalmology Services is adopting a new Eye Care Electronic …
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27 February 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
HES vouchers issued by NuTH (Newcastle)
Please note that all HES vouchers should be sent to the address below for payment. Failure to do so may result in delayed payment. Finance Department Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Regent Point Regent Farm Road Gosforth Newcastle Upon Tyne NE3 3HD The LOC have talked to NuTH to try to establish a system …
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3 January 2024
Orthoptists Discharge process from NuTH – Dec 2023
Please be aware that Orthoptists may be discharging stable patients who no longer require ongoing management in the hospital, and who may wish or need to continue with long-term Fresnel prism rather than incorporation. The patient should present with a Discharge letter. Patients will be advised that Fresnel prisms can be supplied by a primary care …
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22 December 2023