News
NHS Mail – use it or lose it
December 2022
NHS Digital has announced a change to the terms of usage for NHS mail accounts. Previously if accounts were not used for 90 days they would be marked as inactive and then deleted if not used after another 90 days. These time periods are reducing. From 1 December 2022 if an account has not been used for 30 days it will be marked as inactive and deleted after a further 30 days. Deleted accounts can be restored for up to 30 days after that but will then be permanently deleted and you will have to apply again for a new NHS mail account.
To keep an account active you will need to ensure you carry out one of the following at least every 30 days.
- Log into the NHSmail portal
- Log into O365 application
- Use O365 applications (ie Outlook with cached credentials)
- Send an email
A pragmatic way to ensure your email stays active is to use Outlook to check your emails regularly which will prevent your account being deactivated.
Help with NHS Mail
November 2022
If practices have an issue with NHS mail they are sometimes being directed by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to LOCs, but these are not issues LOCs can resolve. Administration of NHS mail accounts can only be done by the National Administration Service (NAS)
- To request a new account if your account has been deleted please contact optomadmin@nhs.net.
- If you are unsure whether your account is still active, or you require support, you should first contact nhsbsa.paos-support@nhs.net
- Guides on how to register GOS contractors and performers (including locums), a user guide to NHS mail and some FAQs can be found online
- If you have not applied for an NHS mail account previously and wish to do so, that can be done online
Please note that if you are a GOS contractor with more than 10 practices, then the Egress encryption service remains the only solution at present.
Change of Email Address for GHNHSFT Ophthalmology Referrals – Starts September 12th
August 2022
From Monday 12th September there is a change of email address for Ophthalmology referrals to Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSFT.
Previously Ophthalmology referrals have been sent through to the Ophthalmology booking email address ghn-tr.ophthalmologyappts@nhs.net but now please refer to ghn-tr.cboreferrals@nhs.net if not referring via the GP.
This website will be updated on 12th September to reflect this change.
August LOC Newsletter
August 2022
The August LOC Newsletter is now available. It features updates on cataract surgery waiting times, countywide rollout of the Community Ophthalmic Link, details of application for funding for Higher Qualifications and a variety of other useful information.
Read the newsletter here
Community Ophthalmic Link (COL) Countywide Roll-out
August 2022
Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Gloucestershire Hospital Eye Services (HES) and the LOC have partnered with Blueworks Ophthalmic Imaging Management Solutions to develop and implement the Community Ophthalmic Link (COL) project. OphthalSuite technology allows community optometrists to securely view a patient’s secondary care eye health records held by Gloucestershire NHSFT in real time. A pilot project has demonstrated the benefit of this for improving decision-making around referrals and general patient management.
The COL is now ready for rollout countywide. Please see our dedicated page here for more details.
We encourage your practice to join to access the benefits that the COL can bring for your patient management.
Newmedica Bristol Aztec West Clinic Opening Soon
June 2022
Newmedica Bristol Aztec West is opening on the 27th June 2022. Practitioners accredited to deliver services to existing Newmedica clinics in Gloucestershire do not need to obtain further accreditation to refer to the new clinic. For more information see here
Making Accurate Claims in England 2022
May 2022
The AOP, supported by ABDO and FODO, have produced a new in-depth guide to support members providing or performing GOS. This comprehensive reference tool, available here will help you navigate through the fees and claims process in England.
10th May 2022 – Move from Covid-19 Amber to Green Phase
May 2022
On Tuesday 10 May each of the four nations in the UK will be moving from the amber to the green phase of The College of Optometrists’ COVID-19 classification system. This phase sees us enter a ‘new normal’ and incorporates the good practice established over the past two years to ensure patient and public safety. ‘Living with COVID-19’, the Government’s current strategy, does not mean a return to practice and business as it was before the pandemic.
For more information see the College of Optometrists website here
New VCHP Clinic Opens in Gloucester
May 2022
The new Vision Care for Homeless People clinic opened in Gloucester on 24th April. Originally planned to open in Autumn 2021 the clinic now runs from the Gloucester City Mission on Mondays, providing sight tests, eye care and spectacles to the homeless. The clinic is run by volunteers. If you would like to volunteer please get in touch with the charity’s new volunteer operations manager, Helen Harms. More information and contact details are available here and here