News

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 

June 7th Glos NHSFT Eye Triage Hours Changed
June 2020

The hours for the Eye Casualty Triage Line have been changed.

Now available 8am – 6pm (closed 1pm-2pm) Monday-Saturday

Tel: 0300 422 3578

Outside of these hours contact CGH Switchboard 0300 422 2222 and ask for on-call Ophthalmologist.

Annual General Meeting 7pm 4th June
May 2020

This year’s AGM will be a virtual meeting starting at 7pm on Thursday June 4th. Invite links to join the meeting have been sent by email. The 2019-20 accounts are available here and the Chair’s Report for 2019-20 is available here

COVID-19 April 18th Update
April 2020

The Updated OFNC Statement and Guidance on changes to primary eye care in England, is available here

COVID-19 April 2nd Update
April 2020

The OFNC guidance on changes to primary eye care in England, can be downloaded here.

COVID-19 April 1st Update
April 2020

The Optical Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) statement concerning NHSE COVID-19 Guidance for optical practices in England, is available as a download here.

The full NHSE Guidance letter is available here