Archived LOC News
We will transfer news posted under LOC News for later retrieval here
Optometry Bulletin – NHS England – April 2020
Please click here to view the latest Optometry Bulletin from NHS England – this issue includes the following information:-
Optometry Bulletin – NHS England – April 2020
Please click here to view the latest Optometry Bulletin from NHS England – this issue includes the following information:-
COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure Primary Care Optical Settings – Stay Updated
Definition of Open – GOS Payment Funding
GOS Payments for ‘Open Practices’
Recording activity during COVID-19 period
COVID-19 Urgent Eyecare Services (CUES)
PPE
Clinical Waste
Electronic Claims
Redeployment to support the clinical delivery plan for COVID-19
Email Communications
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Emergency Eye Care Referral Form
Please click on the link below to view the latest EEC referral form
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UPDATED RCHT REFERRAL GUIDELINES & CONSULTANT DETAILS
Please click on the links below to view the updated referral guidelines for RCHT and consultant details
LINK – Royal Cornwall Hospital Consultant Details for LOC
LINK – Optometric Referral Guidelines 2018
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2017-19 Data Security & Protection Requirements
Please click on the link below to view the guidance for implementing the new data security and protection requirements whose target audience are those who provide eye health services, contracting via the NHS Standard Contract.
New Audio Screening Leaflets for blind and partially sighted people
Public Health England (PHE) has published new audio versions of screening leaflets for blind and partially sighted people. Please click on the link below for more information:-
LINK – 2017-19 Data Security and Protection Requirements
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NEW PHONE NUMBER – OPTICAL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS SERVICE
Announcement of Telephone Number Change for the OCCS – With Immediate Effect.
We would like to inform you of a telephone number change for the Optical Consumer Complaints Service. The new low rate number is 0344 800 5071.
The Optical Consumer Complaints Service is able to receive calls between 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday.
Complaints can be referred to the service by email or via the website www.opticalcomplaints.co.uk at any time.
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Royal Eye Infirmary (Derriford Hospital) – Nurse Practitioner E-mail Address
An Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner email address has been set up to enhance the Ophthalmic Triage Service. The email address is – plh-tr.REIOphthalmicTriage@nhs.net.
This will operate Monday to Friday 08.00-16.30hrs.
This is for GP’s, Opticians, Practice Nurses to contact the REI for the following reasons:-
- Urgent Care Referrals
- Treatment Queries
It is not for Clinic Referrals, these must continue to be sent via Devon Referral Support Services.
Please include in the email:-
- Name, Address, NHS Number of Patient
2. Reason for Referral
3. Contact phone number if you wish us to ring you back
4. Contact number of Patient if you wish us to contact them direct to triage them
Your email will be responded to within 24 hours
For Emergency referrals please continue to ring 01752 439330 press button 4.
Serious Incidents
Please find below the updated Serious Incident form that should be used for reporting incidents. Please can you check you have a copy of this form on your files and use this form to notify NHS England accordingly.
Complaints
Please make sure that your Practice is displaying up to date contact details for NHS Complaints. Postal Complaints should be sent to:
Complaints Manager
NHS England
PO Box 16738
Redditch
B97 9PT
Telephone Complaints – phone 0300 311 22 33
These details should be visible so if a patient wishes to raise a complaint they should not have to ask how to do this.
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New GOS 18 Form
Further to the recent LOCSU Hot Brief (below), please click here to see an example of the new GOS 18 form. It is a triplicate form with white, pink and yellow copies. Click here to read the guidance on how to complete the GOS 18 which will be on the back of the third sheet.
The Department of Health has confirmed that the distribution centres are being supplied with the new GOS 18 forms and will soon be using them to fulfil orders to ophthalmic contractors. Please note that the old GOS 18 forms can still be used until you run out.
GOS Assurance
Details of the GOS Contract Assurance process can be found on the Contractual Matters page
Discretionary Payments
Details of GOS4 Payments on the Contractual Matters page
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Cornwall Visual Impairment Team
The Cornwall Visual Impairment Team includes social workers and rehabilitation officers who offer a service to people with significant sight loss in both eyes. Click here to download their leaflet.
Cornwall Blind Association
The Cornwall Blind Association has also compiled a leaflet for use in practice. Click here to download a copy.
Up-to-date contact details for the Area Team can be found on the Contractual Matters page
Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group website (external link)
New Low Vision form and pathway on the Low Vision page
LOC Leaflet is downloadable from the Useful Documents page
Information on Making Accurate Claims and Useful PCT Contacts
IOP scheme agreed
More information on the glaucoma page.
Referral Guidelines
We have agreed referral guidelines with consultants at RCHT. They can be viewed here.
Glaucoma
Various updates on glaucoma and NICE and what we are doing can be found on the glaucoma page.
Contractual Matters
We have created a new page for contractual matters. This will cover areas such as contract compliance and practice visits as well as other regulatory issues. There is some important information on the new vetting and barring scheme as well as a template letter that you may wish to use.
Dates for your diary
These can be found on the meetings page.
NICE Guidance
The LOC recommends that you follow AOP advice on this matter. The LOC has produced a standard letter that you may wish to use or adapt. You can find this on the glaucoma page. This has been updated on 26th August.