You can find the latest PCA here;

General Ophthalmic Services – PCA(O)(2019)

The most up to date Optometry Scotland Constitution can be found here;

Optometry Scotland Constitution 2017

OS has created a FAQ document which covers all Frequently aked questions relating to changes to the regulations as of 1st October 2018.

This document was last updated on 5th November 2018 and is an ever changing document.

If you would like a scenario to be included in this please Contact Us

FAQs 2018 GOS Review – 5th Nov 2018

You can see our General Ophthalamic Services examination fees and vouchers guideline which is specific to Scotland. If you are an OS member, you can contact us for a copy to be poste to your practice.

This guideline is for the current fees and voucher values

Fees data sheet GOS (1).

Greater Glasgow and Clyde Treatment Ladders for Ocular conditions

Treatment Ladders GGC September 2018

Triage form for practice staff

Triage form SLM

See the new College of Optometrists front house staff emergency triage form which gives information on emergency eye triage protocol

Emergency triage protocol

Here you can see the Independent review of low vision service provision across Scotland carried out by NHS Education for Scotland.

Low Vision Services Review

You can find here the attached PCA(O)(2019)02 which provides information on the undernoted;

• Mandatory Training Requirements
• Allowance for Continuing Education and Training – claim year 2018
• Pre-registration Trainee Supervisor Grant
• Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer
• NHS Board contact details for SCI Gateway and Ophthalmic Listing Queries

General Ophthalmic Services – PCA(O)(2019)2 – Mandatory GOS training CET allowance Pre-reg grant Cancer Referral Guidelines

Here you can find the CET allowance application form.

You should access the form and fill it in electronically before printing it off, signing it and scanning it to P&CFS for processing.

CET Claim Form – 2019

You can now find the final Eyehealth Scotland Position Statement and Advice sheet for patients who are on Hydroxychloroquine.

Position Statement – Hydrochloroquine

EyeHealth HCQ advice Sep 2019

Here you can find the General Optical Council (GOC) statement on supply of spectacles and contact lenses during COVID-19 emergency

Joint statement and guidance on coronavirus COVID-19

We understand that optometrists are concerned because of their close contact with patients, but current guidance is that facemasks are only needed for those who are dealing with patients with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19.

If you need to use personal protective equipment, it is important that you use the correct type and are trained in how to use it.
We advise that you avoid seeing anyone with cold or flu symptoms, and ask them to rebook when they are better. The main advice when seeing patients is to use:

• Scrupulous hand hygiene
• Respiratory etiquette, and
• Good disinfection practice including cleaning hard surfaces.

Sensible precautions

• Where possible, avoid direct ophthalmoscopy – use a SL-BIO method instead where you can, or consider if fundal imaging is an acceptable alternative.
• Where possible, avoid touching patients. For example, when using SL-BIO, ask the patient to open their eyes wide when they are looking down so you can examine the inferior fundus without having to lift their upper lids. If you need to lift the lids to examine the fundus you may wish to use a cotton bud to do this to avoid touching the patient. If you need to touch the patient, ensure you practise appropriate hand hygiene before and after contact.
• Consider using a cough guard on your slit lamp if possible. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has advice on how you can make a temporary cough guard here.

What should I do if a patient identifies as being at risk of having COVID-19 in the consultation room?

If the advice above is followed patients should not attend the practice if they show signs of COVID-19 infection. However, if COVID-19 is considered possible when an appointment is already in progress, assess a suitable and safe point to bring the consultation to a close, withdraw from the room, close the door and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Advise the patient to contact NHS 111 from an isolated consulting room. If a healthcare professional is required to enter the room to offer assistance or support the 999 assessment, they should wear disposable gloves, disposable plastic aprons and fluid-resistant surgical face mask. Refer to the Government advice for health care professionals

College of Optometrists coronavirus advice for optometrists

Dear Colleagues,

Enclosed is a joint circular encompassing all nations giving an indication as to where we anticipate a settled position for community eyecare.

The expectation remains that we will continue to provide emergency and essential services as a community and by working cooperatively as we have never done before.  More information and an accompanying PCA will follow soon.

OFNC updated guidance on practice openings 200325 1245 final

Here you can see the FAQ list produced by Optometry Scotland in relation to COVID-19 which will be updated on an ongoing basis.

OS FAQ’s – COVID 19