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Wales
Wales
This page provides information and links to the representative body in Wales and the Welsh Assembly. Content also includes Welsh specific regulations, enhanced services and claims advice.
ABDO Wales
Regional lead: Abi Crutcher FBDO
Email acrutcher@abdo.org.uk
Updates
02 May 2024
Ymhen rhai misoedd, bydd carfan newydd o Fyfyrwyr Optometreg yn graddio o’r brifysgol ac yn cyrraedd eich practis i ddechrau eu hyfforddiant ar Gynllun Cofrestru (SfR) Coleg yr Optometryddion.
Er mwyn helpu i baratoi ar gyfer eu dyfodiad, hoffem dynnu eich sylw at y newidiadau allweddol canlynol yn ymwneud â Myfyrwyr Optometreg ac WGOS:
Rhaid i Fyfyrwyr Optometreg sy’n ymgymryd â’u Cynllun Cofrestru gael eu rhestru ar restr Offthalmig Atodol (SOL) Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol cyn dechrau eu hyfforddiant.
O 1 Mehefin 2024, rhaid i Fyfyriwr Optometreg ar restr SOL lofnodi unrhyw ffurflen hawlio h.y. GOS 1W, GOS 3W, GOS 5, GOS 6W neu WECS 1, sy’n ymwneud ag unrhyw gyfnod WGOS y mae’n ei gyflawni dan oruchwyliaeth. Lle bo’r Optometrydd / Ymarferydd Meddygol Offthalmig (OMP) sy’n goruchwylio yn dewis cydlofnodi / blaenlythrennu’r ffurflen hawlio, rhaid i hyn fod y tu allan i brif gorff y ffurflen e.e. ar yr ymyl chwith.
Hoffem hefyd eich atgoffa o’r canlynol:
Dim ond Optometrydd cymwys neu Ymarferydd Meddygol Offthalmig sy’n gallu llofnodi presgripsiynau sbectol.
Rhaid i gopi o bresgripsiwn sbectol gael ei lofnodi gan Optometrydd, OMP neu Optegydd Cyflenwi cymwysedig.
Gall Myfyriwr Optometrydd ar restr SOL lofnodi llythyr atgyfeirio, ond rhaid iddo hefyd gynnwys enw a llofnod yr Optometrydd / OMP sy’n goruchwylio ac yn cymryd cyfrifoldeb clinigol am gyfnod y claf.
I gael rhagor o wybodaeth ac adnoddau i helpu’ch Myfyrwyr Optometreg, cyfeiriwch at ‘A Student Optometrist’s Guide to WGOS’.
Os oes gennych unrhyw gwestiynau, mae croeso i chi gysylltu â ni yng Ngwasanaethau Gofal Sylfaenol – PCGC gan ddefnyddio’r cyfeiriad e-bost canlynol:
nwssp-primarycareservices@wales.nhs.uk
Within a matter of months, a new cohort of Student Optometrists will graduate from university and arrive in your practice to begin their training on the College of Optometrist’s Scheme for Registration (SfR).
To assist with preparing for their arrival, we would like to draw your attention to the following key changes relating to Student Optometrists and WGOS:
- Student Optometrist undertaking their SfR must be listed on a Local Health Board’s Supplementary Ophthalmic list (SOL) prior to commencing their training
- From 1 June 2024, a SOL-listed Student Optometrist must sign any claim form i.e. GOS 1W, GOS 3W, GOS 5, GOS 6W or WECS 1, relating to any WGOS episode that they undertake under supervision. Where the supervising Optometrist / OMP chooses to countersign / initial the claim form, this must be outside the main body of the form e.g. in the left margin.
We would also like to remind you that:
Spectacle prescriptions must only be signed by a fully qualified Optometrist or an Ophthalmic Medical Practitioner (OMP)
A copy of a spectacle prescription must be signed by a fully qualified Optometrist, OMP or Dispensing Optician
A SOL-listed Stduent Optometrist may sign a referral letter, but it must also include the name and signature of the Optometrist / OMP supervising and taking clinical responsibility of the patient episode.
For further information and resources to assist your Student Optometrist, please refer to ‘A Student Optometrist’s Guide to WGOS’.
If you do have any questions, please do get in touch with us as NWSSP-PCS using the following email address:
nwssp-primarycareservices@wales.nhs.uk
19 March 2024
Legislative directions require NHS Wales to prepare and publish an Administrative List of qualified practitioners (which includes dispensing opticians). This list includes the qualified practitioners’ details and the ophthalmic services they provide, assist or support in.
Inclusion on this list does not in itself convey permission to perform or provide episodes of care in Wales General Ophthalmic Services (WGOS). Please see www.nhs.wales/sa/eye-care-wales/wgos/eye-health-professional/ regarding requirements to deliver WGOS.
This form must be completed and submitted by the Ophthalmic Contractor or those that are not defined as an Ophthalmic Contractor in accordance with the NHS Ophthalmic Services (Wales) Regulations 2023, ie, those that will require a service agreement(s) to provide WGOS 3, 4 and/or 5 only. In doing so, those that complete this form must inform the dispensing optician that their details have been shared in accordance with the above directions.
Please complete one form for each dispensing optician who provides, assists or supports in the provision of ophthalmic services within your premises or in a mobile setting. This information is required by 31 March 2024.
You are not required to provide information of the qualified practitioners who are already included in the Combined Ophthalmic List in Wales (Ophthalmic List and Supplementary Ophthalmic List).
The form is available here.
If you experience any problems in accessing this form, please contact the contracts management department nwssp-primarycareservices@wales.nhs.uk.
Hoffem ddiolch i chi am y presgripsiynu cymdeithasol yr ydych wedi’i ddarparu fel rhan o WGOS1. Gwyddom y bydd hyn yn cael effaith gadarnhaol ar les y boblogaeth.
Gallwch ddod o hyd i ragor o wybodaeth am bresgripsiynu cymdeithasol isod.
What is Social Prescribing? | NASP (socialprescribingacademy.org.uk)
Other Useful Learning Resources – NHS Wales
National Academy for Social Prescribing video
I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am rwydweithiau rhagnodi cymdeithasol yn eich ardal chi, cysylltwch â Chynghorydd Optometrig eich Bwrdd Iechyd lleol.
We would like to thank you for the social prescribing which you have delivered as part of WGOS1. We know this will have a positive impact on population wellbeing.
You can find further information regarding social prescribing below.
What is Social Prescribing? | NASP (socialprescribingacademy.org.uk)
Other Useful Learning Resources – NHS Wales
National Academy for Social Prescribing video
For more information regarding social prescribing networks near you, please contact your local Health Board Optometric Advisor.
10 October 2023
Explanatory Memorandum for subordinate legislation
The National Health Service (Ophthalmic Services) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (senedd.wales)
Written Statement: Reform of primary care ophthalmic services (29 September 2023) | GOV.WALES
Datganiad Ysgrifenedig: Diwygio gwasanaethau offthalmig gofal sylfaenol (29 Medi 2023) | LLYW.CYMRU
Newsletters and useful links
For queries regarding EHEW accreditation and WGOS mandatory training please contact HEIW at: heiw.optometry@wales.nhs.uk
Equipment Required – NHS Wales
Previous newsletters can be found here.
Webinar Recordings – NHS Wales
Useful Links
WGOS 1 manual and information WGOS 1 – Sight test – NHS Wales
Low Vision Service manual and information including how to become accredited WGOS 3 – Low Vision Assessment – NHS Wales
UK Regulation
GOC Standards of practice
Click here
GOC supplementary guidance
Click here
Vouchers at a glance
Coming soon