News
New LOCSU Hot Brief (30/7/16)
Please click here to download
New LOCSU Hot Brief (21/7/16)
Please click here to download
To all practices in Central Cheshire area (And those in East and West Cheshire who see patients from the Central area) (16/7/16)
Central Cheshire area comprises of Vale Royal and South Cheshire CCGs and contains the following towns: Northwich, Winsford, Crewe, Middlewich, Nantwich, Alsager, Sandbach, Weaverham.
Several changes are taking place in this area over the next few weeks. Please read up on the links below as this WILL have a significant effect on your business if you don't get involved.
New glaucoma repeat reading service
New post cataract follow ups - Leighton
New Hot Brief - Important Information (16/7/16)
The latest hot brief is now available to download, which has important information on Capita GOS payments and CET grant claims. Please click here to view.
Macclesfield Hospital Lecture (12/7/16)
We would like to invite all optometrists (especially East Cheshire practitioners) to a talk by Arun Sachdev at Macclesfield hospital on Thursday 21st July starting at 6.30pm.
The talk is entitled "Interpretation of OCT findings in AMD"
There will also be an update on the Glaucoma Repeat Reading Service, Cataract referrals and future PEARS shemes.
For more information click here
LOCSU Hot Brief - (18/5/16)
New LOCSU hot brief is now available - Click here to view
Eastern Cheshire Cataract Referral Change
There is no longer an enhanced service for cataract referrals in Eastern Cheshire. Please refer all cataract referrals via a GOS18 to the GP.
LOCSU April News Update
To see the LOSCU news update for April please click here.
The Accessible Information Standard: Update on implementation in primary care
Please click here to see the new update from the Optical Confederation.
West Cheshire Minor Eye Conditions - Complaint Form
At a Western Cheshire Eye Health Group meeting recently, the CCG have asked for ALL concerns about the Minor Eye Conditions Service to be reported on the attached form, however trivial.
They are hoping to gather more evidence on the performance of the contract. It would also be useful if Optometrists could report any patients not referred to this scheme if they think service/treatment would be better elsewhere.
If you are unhappy with the service this is the way to demonstrate to the commissioners that the service is underperforming so please take the time to fill out the form.
Please could you complete the form whenever there is concern.
Cheshire Mobile Vision Support Unit
There is a mobile vision support unit which operates round several sites throughout Cheshire. For more information follow the link below:
http://www.visionsupport.org.uk/
To find an updated schedule click on the 'Our Services' tab and then select 'Mobile Units'. This schedule is subject to change so it is advisable to contact the mobile unit on 01244 381515 (Monday to Friday 10am-2.30pm) to confirm the location before travelling over.
Leighton Hospital Post Cataract Service
This service is currently being finalised by PECC. If your an optometrist in the area and would be interested in carrying out these post operative assessments please email an expression of interest ASAP including practice details, practitioner details and GOC number to Sandie McBennett: [email protected]
Practices/Contractors will also need to complete the following:
- QIO Level 1
- QIO LOC Company Subcontractor Checklist
- Infection Control Audit
- Insurance Certificate Copy
Practitioners/Optometrists need to complete the following:
- WOPEC Cataract Module (free codes available by emailing Sandie)
- DOCET Safeguarding adults and children Level 1 and 2
Once you have all submissions ready please email Sandie to confirm.
We have identified a problem with WET AMD referrals either due to a locum from outside the area not knowing the correct pathway, or one of our patients attending a practice outside our area. This is especially an issue for domi providers who work over several PCT areas. In both scenarios the referral seems to end up at the GP and even if they refer it urgently it sometimes goes to the wrong hospital. Several patients have ended up on the wrong pathway due to this.
As you know, WET AMD can progress within weeks to irreversible eye damage and blindness. This is a risk to the patients vision and to the referring optometrist. Missed and inappropriately referred WET AMD has now overtaken RD as the biggest reason for ending up at the GOC.
Please follow the referral pathway on this website. To find details outside this area, please check the appropriate LOC website for that area.
G.P DETAILS
Below is a useful link to help you search for a G.P's name and/or address.
To search for a G.P click here.