Scotland

12 October 2023

For your information please find attached circular PCA(O)2023(04) – covering Community Glaucoma Service information – and a letter from the Scottish Government’s Chief Optometric Advisor providing an update on undergraduate optometry degree reforms in Scotland.

PCA(O)(2023)(04)

Chief Optometric Advisor – Letter regarding undegraduate optometry degree reforms – 230929

Please see below for an update to the Scottish governments COVID-19 testing guidance.

Advance_notice_of_changes_to_Scottish_Governments_COVID-19_testing_guidance

24 April 2023

Please read the latest letter from the Dentistry and Optometry Division, Directorate of Primary Care, Scottish Government, issued 21 April 2023.

This letter advises on:

• Changes to legislation for NHS optical vouchers in Scotland that will increase NHS optical voucher values from 1 June 2023
• Phase 3 of the CGS application process, which only applies to NHS Lanarkshire

Read letter here.

PPV guidance

Please read the latest letter from the Dentistry and Optometry Division, Directorate of Primary Care, Scottish Government, issued 23 September 2022.

This letter advises on:

• a 4.5% increase applied to all fees paid for GOS eye examinations undertaken on or after 1 April 2022;
• an amendment to the description for supplementary eye examination reason codes 2.7/4.7 (post-operative cataract examination);
• an amendment to the description for supplementary eye examination reason code 3.0 (additional or significantly longer appointment to complete a primary eye examination for a patient with complex needs); supplementary eye examinations undertaken using remote facilities;
• the CPD allowance amounts for CPD undertaken by optometrists and OMPs in 2021;
• the pre-registration trainee optometrist supervisor grant amount and claims process for trainee optometrists taken on by a supervisor on or after 1 April 2022;
• a reminder about the position regarding the wearing of FRSMs.

New Vouchers at a Glance for Scotland

There is a new Vouchers at a Glance for Scotland. Download your copy here.

Summary
1. On 20 May 2022 the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments and General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2022 (“the 2022 Regulations”) were laid before the Scottish Parliament.
2. The 2022 Regulations will make a number of changes on 1 July 2022 to legislation for General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) and NHS optical vouchers in Scotland. These changes are summarised in the Policy Note for the legislation and paragraphs 4 to 23 of this Memorandum.
3. This Memorandum also provides a reminder about:
 the ‘first port of call’ responsibility for all GOS providers in Scotland;
 visual field testing and GOS primary eye examinations;
 the final deadline for submitting claims to NHS Boards regarding the ventilation enhancement grant.

Read the Memorandum here.