Are you on the right list?

Efforts to communicate the complex changes to the ophthalmic list regulations for optometrists and dispensing opticians have started in earnest. The importance of the alterations initiated by the Department of Health cannot be overstated for those wishing to continue to be involved in England's GOS in future. The new regulations come into force next month. A trio of professional bodies this week set about trying to explain them to practitioners after last month's warning of their importance to corporate contractors (News, October 29). To ease the potential information overload AOP/FODO/ABDO have split their advice into two sections, with guidance for OOs followed by guidance for DOs and dispensing companies. For OOs the ophthalmic list will be replaced by two lists: an 'ophthalmic list' of those contractors who provide GOS (for OOs or ophthalmic companies who provide premises/equipment etc and can comply with terms of service) and a 'supplementary list' of those assisting with the provision of GOS, for optometrists who do not qualify for the other list (employees, locums etc). See 'Optometrists' panel for more details. If optometrists are listed with one or more PCTs they will be asked which list they consider they should be included on. Those who are not entitled to be included in the ophthalmic list will be transferred to the supplementary list. A spokesman for the optical bodies said this week: 'Optometrists working for corporate ophthalmic contractors should check that their employer is listed as a contractor, as in some areas we know that the PCT will only have listed the optometrists working at the practice.' OOs working for DO- or lay-owned practices should also check whether their employer is taking appropriate action to ensure they can continue to provide GOS sight tests. These practices are being advised separately how they can qualify for the ophthalmic list Ð see 'grandfathering'. For DOs and dispensing companies, the complexity of the changes is as great, and the need to act is no less urgent. For practices to continue to offer GOS sight tests, they must choose one of two options Ð either become an ophthalmic body corporate enrolled with the GOC and to contract directly with the PCT, or enter into a legal agreement with a local optometrist or OMP relying on 'grandfathering' arrangements in the new regulations.