News

Final Access to Optomanager – Access Ends 16th April
April 2021
As of the 8th April 2021, the management of all community services on Optomanager will come to an end.  All practices will have access to Optomanager to view only until Friday 16th April 2021.
 
After the 16th April 2021 practices will have no access to Optomanager.
Practices are therefore requested to ensure they have downloaded all their invoices and any other relevant information  from the system before their access is withdrawn. 

OPTOManager helpdesk and support.

The OPTOManager helpdesk is now forwarding all queries to the OPERA help desk, so from hereon in Practices and Practitioners need to send all queries via the OPERA bubble or the  hello@referral.support email address direct. 

Newmedica Gloucester Open to Opera Referrals
March 2021

Newmedica have confirmed that their Gloucester clinics are now able to receive referrals on the new Opera system.

See more information here

Version 3 YAG Capsulotomy Referral Form Now Available
January 2021

A revised version of the Gloucestershire YAG Capsulotomy referral form is now available here and from our Documents page. Version 3 of the form is in editable .pdf format allowing for electronic completion. Please then submit to your chosen provider of YAG capsulotomy by secure nhs.net email.

New SpaMedica Hospital in Gloucester Now Open
December 2020

The new SpaMedica hospital in Gloucester is now open for cataract and YAG laser capsulotomy referrals. For more information and details of an accreditation event on January 14th please see here

Newmedica to Open New Surgical Centre in January 2021
December 2020

Newmedica will be opening another surgical centre in Gloucestershire in January 2021. Brighouse Court is located in Barnwood, Gloucester and will join existing facilities at the Aspen Centre, Gloucester and Swindon.

For further information Newmedica – Brighouse Court 

New Resource for Visually Impaired Patients
September 2020

A leaflet outlining the local services available to support those with visual impairment is now available. Designed to be a simple resource to be issued in practice when necessary the document summarises the contact details of local support services. It has been produced by the LOC, in collaboration with the Sight Loss Council, the county ECLO’s, Insight Gloucestershire, the Macular Society and Forest Sensory services and is available as a download from our dedicated page here.

 

July 21st NHSE issues 30th September deadline for transfer to eGOS
July 2020
NHSE have announced 30th September 2020 as the deadline to move to GOS claims online (eGOS). Paper submissions will be allowed after this date but will require a new passport system to be used . 
 
Download the NHSE letter and information sheet below
 
Further resources to help manage the transition are available from our GOS Matters page here
Secondary Care Providers’ Cataract Service Update
July 2020
Here is the latest information from secondary care providers on the status of their cataract services.
 
Tetbury Hospital: accepting routine cataract surgery referrals. Elective cataract surgery expected to restart on 23/07/2020.
 
Newmedica Gloucester: accepting routine cataract surgery referrals. Already performing elective cataract surgery.
 
Emersons Green: accepting routine cataract surgery referrals. Elective cataract surgery expected to restart by late July / early August.
 
Gloucestershire NHSFT: only performing urgent / essential cataract surgeries. 
Can You Help Your LOC?
July 2020

These past few months have been and continue to be challenging for us all but in extraordinary circumstances we have seen a willingness in our optical community to communicate and co-operate in new and worthwhile ways for the benefit of each other and our patients . As an LOC we are always looking for new members to bring new ideas and momentum to our work. If you’ve enjoyed and valued the interactions in our WhatsApp groups perhaps you might consider helping the LOC in its activities, either as a co-opted member for specific projects or by joining the committee fully. All contractors and performers are welcome but recent retirements from the committee have left a particular need for representation for dispensing optician colleagues (who must be contractors to join the committee). If you would like to know more please contact us here in the first instance. We look forward to hearing from you.

June 12th Gloucestershire CUES Service Launched
June 2020

The Gloucestershire CUES service launched on June 12th. See our dedicated CUES page here

The Primary Eyecare Services website is maintaining an up to date list of practices that are open and providing CUES here