The DHSC has confirmed today that the temporary measure whereby NHS GOS contractors state ‘COVID-19’ instead of requiring patient signatures on forms has now been extended until 30 June 2021. This measure was originally implemented as a COVID infection prevention control measure by removing the need for patients to handle pens in optical practices – …
Continue reading “COVID-19 Exemption for Patient Signatures Extended”
30 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 …
Continue reading “Primary Care Optical Practice is a hugely undervalued aspect of eye health.”
4 March 2021
NTW LOC have also been made aware that some secondary care surgical providers are now conducting all post-operative care reviews via telephone consultation. Patients are presenting with post-operative forms from the surgical provider for completion by optometrists requesting information such as Vision and VA. The reporting of such information falls outside the requirements of GOS …
Continue reading “Post-Operative Cataract information”
4 March 2021
We have been notified of practitioners being requested to perform IOP checks and/or visual fields on Glaucoma/OHT patients who are under the care and review of the HES, but have had their appointments delayed due to the global pandemic. We have also been alerted to requests of imaging for these patients. These requests sit outside …
Continue reading “Requests for diagnostic testing”
4 March 2021
NTWLOC continue to work with NuTH to lobby for the commissioning of CUES and Glaucoma services across the North ICP area. The progress of this has been painfully slow with financial challenges cited as the reason for lack of progress. We remain hopeful and continue to explain the limitations of GOS and the need for an …
Continue reading “All urgent and emergency cases should be directed to EED”
4 March 2021
Sight Service rebrand, from the 1st of March will be known as Vision&Hearing Support. reflecting the recent incorporation of services for D/deaf, hard of hearing and tinnitus support. For the full story read more here – https://www.sight-service.org.uk/ Remember referrals can be made directly (quicker route) or via the ECLO at either HES. This also includes …
Continue reading “Sensory Support in Gateshead and South Tyneside.”
24 February 2021
The LOC are working hard along with HES Secondary Care colleagues to implement a change in pathway design, enabling more patients with eye issues to be seen closer to home within primary care optical practices. Further updates will be provided soon. In the meantime we’d encourage any Optical Practice who is not sub-contracted to Primary …
Continue reading “Sign up to PES to offer Enhanced Services”
11 February 2021
RVI – The LOC has been made aware that elective surgery has now been suspended within Ophthalmology. We will inform you when this restarts. The planned opening of the new cataract surgical facility at the old Newcastle General Hospital site has now been delayed until March 8th. A further communication will come out from the …
Continue reading “HES Update – RVI elective surgery suspended, SEI updated wet AMD form”
11 February 2021
CET events will run virtually – January to April, 7pm login time to start at 7.15pm prompt. It will be determined if face-to-face networking events can resume after this. There will also be at least one peer review; whether it is done virtually or in-person will be confirmed in 2021. Due to the increased number of …
Continue reading “North East Optical Society (NEOS) CET resumes”
29 December 2020
The incoming Chair of the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee, Gordon Ilett, has thanked outgoing Chair Paul Carroll for the leadership he has provided throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
7 April 2021
Last week two packed virtual workshops were held as LOCSU looked at the future of Optometry first urgent eyecare services.
31 March 2021
