Opchat News:

Cardiff pop-up clinic sees 23 homeless patients, many for the first time!

Some 23 homeless people in South Wales felt cared for last week when they had their eyes examined.

LOOK – made in Italia: For over 40 years providing independent choice to protect customers

Certified to guarantee a product totally Italian in every respect

College responds to proposed National Tariff Payment Scheme and recommends that ending of the current front-loaded tariffs.

The College of Optometrists welcomes the priority given to ophthalmology to improve patient care and efficiency from changing the way ophthalmology services are delivered and paid for across primary and secondary care.

Approval for a further 74 CCGs to merge

NHS England (NHSE) has approved the merger of 74 existing CCGs to establish 18 new ones, reports the HSJ.

ICSs told by NHS England to streamline commissioning arangements by September this year

NHS England guidance has reiterated that all developing Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) should be actively “streamlining commissioning arrangements, including typically one CCG per system” with applications made no later than 30 September 2020 for a merger proposed for 1 April 2021.

FMO welcomes two more new members to Optrafair 20/20

As FMO gears up for Optrafair 20/20 exhibition and conference, two new members have been announced and six more have applied for membership.

FMO provides the perfect platform for optical companies to expand operations and achieve growth in 2020.

Membership of the FMO provides many benefits to Optical services and manufacturing companies over and above significant reductions in exhibiting at the UK's oldest and most prodigious conference and exhibition, demonstrating 60 years of support to the UK Vision Sector.

Eye health sector continues to respond to glaucoma investigation

The eye health sector has continued to respond to the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch’s final report

Public Health England has issued a guide about eye care and treatment for eye problems for people with learning disabilities.

People with learning disabilities are more likely to have serious sight problems but less likely to be able to successfully access eye care services than the general population. Good eye care helps people to live healthier, more active and independent lives.

Two New Committee members for ABDO NCC

ABDO Vice President Jo Holmes FBDO, chair of the National Clinical Committee, has welcomed two new members to the committee.

Increases announced in Scottish budget 20/21 for eyecare

The GOS budget will increase from £108.4m (2019-20) to £109.5m (2020-21), representing a one percent increase according to the draft Scottish budget,

AOP calls for halt to optometry degree apprenticeships

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is calling for a halt on the current proposal for optometry degree apprenticeships until the profession’s serious concerns are addressed.

SILMO’s New Baby

Since the very first eyewear trade fair almost 7 years ago, the ambition of CEO/Funder behind the eyewear fair concept, copenhagen specs, Morten Gammelmark has always been to support and promote independent eyewear.

Safilens: New Partnership with Dutch firm Ote’

Safilens, the Italian company that has transformed the contact lens industry with its innovative fusiontechnology™, announces a new partnership

Eye health experts call for urgent action on hospital eyecare to reduce delays and improve patient safety

Joint statement to tackle pressures on hospital eye departments from The College of Optometrists and AOP. (and further comments)

Showing an eye for fashion, Eyewear Direct launches

Eyewear Direct launched 30 ophthalmic frames and 12 new sunglass styles at 100% Optical in London last month.

Optical Express optometrists join UN’s Clean Seas campaign

Hundreds of optometrists and eye care clinicians have pledged to stop using a range of single-use plastic products in a bid to tackle the dangerous levels of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.

Crisis volunteers see more than 300 patients

High levels of eye pathology were found amongst the 302 patients seen at the London Crisis at Christmas clinics in December. 

Daniel Williams joins the Nystagmus Network

The Nystagmus Network has appointed Daniel Williams, sight loss campaigner and founder of Visualise Training and Consultancy, to its committee of Trustees.

New ABDO Vice President announced

Daryl Newsome has been elected as the next Vice President for the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). Daryl will take over from Jo Holmes who becomes ABDO President. Both changeovers will take place at the ABDO Gala Dinner at Optrafair in April.

Applications now open for NES Optical Assistant Courses

Insight Optical Training announces that they are now taking applications for our optical assistant courses in Scotland.

Roles across optics celebrated at the AOP Awards 2020

On Sunday, 26 January, the Association of Optometrists (AOP) welcomed optical practitioners to its ninth annual awards ceremony.

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