NHS England has this morning issued new guidance and an updated standard operating procedure (SOP) which confirms that practitioners in England can resume provision of the full range of General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) with immediate effect, subject to appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.
In a statement issued by FODO on its website, the Optometric Fee Negotiating Committee said it welcomed the return of routine NHS sight testing in England in line with the new SOP. ‘This should enable the sector to gradually meet the pent-up demand for eye healthcare, as well as continuing to provide essential and urgent care and to keep pressure off GPs, A&E and hospital eye services,’ said the OFNC statement issued this morning.
However, the OFNC warned that a return to routine GOS work in England would have significant challenges, not least providing care in a way that manages infection risks during the pandemic with at least half of the practice capacity, something that has been ‘recognised by NHS England,’ said the OFNC.
The statement continued: ‘The impact on practices' income will be even greater. The OFNC has told NHS England that a premature end to COVID-19 funding will significantly increase the risk of practice closures and adversely affect, patients, the wider NHS and public health. That is why the OFNC wrote to Department for Health and Social Care ministers on Friday June 12 urging them to put in place further transitional funding arrangements for primary eye care beyond the end of June.’
‘Although NHS England's new guidance states current funding arrangements will cease at the end of June, it also commits to work with the OFNC on the financial support that practices will need from 1 July to manage the transition, prioritise remote consultations, and to help cover the extra costs of PPE and other infection control measures.
‘NHS England has also acknowledged to the OFNC the additional challenges and costs that domiciliary providers will face. These include operationalising three weeks' notice requirements, additional IPC measures and the increased challenges of working with care homes during the pandemic.’
More to follow.