News

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

 

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