News

Indicative Cataract Surgery Waiting Times – October
October 2021
Latest information on cataract surgery waiting times in Gloucestershire is available here  and from the Cataract page of our website here
 
These times are supplied by the providers as indicative and may not be a guarantee that patients will be seen exactly in that time scale. Please note that the LOC is not responsible for the accuracy of these times. If you become aware of significant and sustained discrepancies in the referral times compared to the provided information, please do let us know.
Revised RCOphth Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy Monitoring Guidelines
October 2021
There is now revised RCOphth guidance regarding the monitoring of patients taking Hydroxychloroquine.

Baseline testing for new initiators of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine is no longer recommended and there is no specific recommendation for patients to arrange annual community optometry assessments, or any specific form of self-assessment, before monitoring commences.

The full guidance document issued December 2020 by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists is available here
 
If you encounter patients signposted by a GP or rheumatologist/dermatologist for an eye examination purely because of their use of this medication please liaise with the professional involved and send them a copy of the new guidance. If assessment and monitoring is still considered appropriate this is provided by GHNHSFT and referrals should be forwarded to the CBO (Central booking office ghn-tr.cboreferrals@nhs.net )  for the attention of the consultant Elizabeth Bristow ( elizabeth.bristow@nhs.net)
Indicative Cataract Surgery Waiting Times – September
September 2021
Latest information on cataract surgery waiting times in Gloucestershire is available here  and from the Cataract page of our website here
 
These times are supplied by the providers as indicative and may not be a guarantee that patients will be seen exactly in that time scale. Please note that the LOC is not responsible for the accuracy of these times. If you become aware of significant and sustained discrepancies in the referral times compared to the provided information, please do let us know.
Launch of the Eye Care Hub Website
September 2021

The national eye care recovery and transformation programme (NECRTP) team has launched a new website, the Eye Care Hub, on NHS Futures.

This is an eyecare-specific site which contains a comprehensive set of information, guidance, and a wide range of materials to support systems, providers, and professionals in implementing the NHS England recovery guidance on improving eye care services. For more information see the LOCSU website here

Contribute to Research into Dry Eye Disease Management
August 2021

City University is conducting research into how eye care practitioners in the U.K. manage dry eye disease. To contribute your opinions please take the time to complete the questionnaire in the link below. All responses are made anonymously.

Dry eye diagnosis and management 2021

August 16th Update to PHE Guidance on Self-Isolation following COVID19 contact
August 2021

The updated PHE Guidance on NHS staff self-isolation following COVID19 contact from August 16th 2021 is available from our COVID19 resources page or here

GlosLOC/PES Publication of Indicative Cataract Surgery Waiting Times
July 2021
So that patients can make an informed decision on their preferred surgical provider for cataract surgery,  practitioners should be able to have accurate information on current waiting times. The LOC has proactively asked the secondary care providers for this information, given that it is not readily available on the provider’s website.
 
These times are supplied by the providers as indicative and may not be a guarantee that patients will be seen exactly in that time scale. Please note that the LOC is not responsible for the accuracy of these times. If you become aware of significant and sustained discrepancies in the referral times compared to the provided information, please do let us know.
 
This information will be requested and shared on a regular basis and is available here and from the Cataract page of our website here
New Form for Referral to ECLO’s
May 2021

The LOC were pleased to meet Gloucestershire’s Eye Clinic Liaison Officers, Louise and Gary, recently. The ECLO’s play a valuable role in supporting those struggling with visual impairment in Gloucestershire and are happy to receive referrals directly from community optometrists on behalf of patients who may benefit from their help. A referral form to assist the referral process is available here and on our Documents page.

New ‘Opticians in Glos’ Facebook Group
April 2021

A new Facebook group has been created for optical professionals in Gloucestershire with the intention of promoting ‘general discussion, socialising and humour’. The group can be joined at https://www.facebook.com/groups/opticiansinglos and is open to all those working in or linked to practices in the county.

The LOC welcome the creation of the group but have no role in its administration and monitoring and accept no responsibility for any material posted on the site. Nor does the LOC endorse or recommend individuals, products or services that may be discussed.

SpaMedica Gloucester Now Available for Cataract Referrals via Opera
April 2021

The new SpaMedica hospital operating theatre in Gloucester is now open for cataract and YAG laser capsulotomy referrals. Please be aware that referral to this facility for NHS cataract surgery should be exclusively via the Opera platform.

SpaMedica have produced helpful clarification on the need for dilation at post-op cataract assessments here

For details of post-op cataract accreditation events in April please see here