Heart of Regional Optical Committee 08/10/2020

Present

Peter Bainbridge (PB) Chair/ Charles Barlow (CB) Dudley/ Debbie Graham (DG) Optometric Advisor Ian Hadfield (IH) Peter Hampson (PH) Sandwell Aisha Jeewa (AJ) Simone Mason (SM) Clinical Governance & Performance Lead Spencer Parkes (SP) Solihull Richard Rawlinson (RR) LOCSU Peter Rockett (PR) Louise Sarjeant (LS) Sandwell/Minutes Wasim Sarwar (WS) Clinical Governance & Performance Lead Paul Sidhu (PS) Dudley Dan Sanders (DPS) Solihull Divya Sudera (DS) Sandwell/CET Officer Joanne Tutt (JT) Walsall

Apologies – Prab Boparai

Minutes of previous meeting – proposed as correct by CB, seconded by PR.

Matters Arising – nil

LOC Finances/COVID 19 PB is everyone still solvent? Sandwell – at least a year, last month activity in region approx. 75% Walsall – solvent, activity 50% Wolverhampton – scaled back LOC activity, ok as long as income stable Dudley – 6 months, levy received fairly normal Solihull – 12 months if no change, last levy payment 80% of normal

SP at last LOC meeting discussed reducing ongoing running costs and fees. Would be interested to know other LOCs fees.

Birmingham - £60hr, £80/hr in person Wolverhampton - £70/hr out of practice, £60/hr other times. Currently £50/hr with a monthly cap Walsall - £40/hr Solihull - £40/hr, committee meeting £30/hr (once a month) Sandwell – normally £80/hr (for 3 hours), £40/hr after, daily cap £400. Evening £50/hour. Currently £50/hr Dudley - £80/hr (first hour), £60/hr after, daily cap £400, evening £40/hr

CB it’s the cost of you not being in the practice, not just getting a locum in.

PB any other COVID 19 updates? PH keep wearing PPE. DG infection control likely here for a long time.

PR had an email about the importance of getting a flu vaccine, but no help in getting one. PH stressed importance of access to flu jabs for optical practices and that we should be added to the list of those that need them. DG we should encourage and pay for staff to get them. CB should practices document that they tried to access them but couldn’t? PH hopefully at the next meeting we can get them to prioritise access. RR also need to ensure access to COVID vaccine once available.

LEHN update CB conversation with RR suggested LOCs organising a meeting in lieu of LEHN to ensure continuity, we’d act as host. PB money an issue, don’t know how others were funded. It is an option, most people likely still in post and would keep people talking. If it was then picked up properly then a functioning group would be in place.

RR written to Darren Plant on behalf of the ROC, whose role would be to set up/recruit an LEHN chair. Also asked if funds would be available to help us set up the group. No reply yet. PB should we set something in motion or wait for an answer? CB do both, email contacts and see if interested/willing to convene. Ask about three subjects most concerned about. Others may also help to apply pressure. PB will format letter for comment

PES Update CB thanks to the CGPLS who sent a 170 page report. CUES uptake significantly lower than MECS, approx. 2/3 in some areas. PB is there increasing uptake? WS yes, but slowly. CCGs want SWB and Dudley to survey practices to find out why. DG is it due to less staff or longer appointments? We’re running 75% capacity at 100% of the time. PS one practice in Dudley said they are working 7 days a week with no lunch.

WS in November there’ll be a CUES evaluation, asking HES and GPs. Contract ends March/April. Hopefully aim for an adapted MECS, with the benefits of CUES, but without the need for telemedicine. PB questionnaire also needs to ask those who are taking part what changes they would like to see.

WS there’s a PES LOC webinar for chairs, all services moving from Optomanager to Opera (will be recorded). On Tuesday 20th October there’s a CUES drop in webinar where we will go over learnings. CB could you mention changes to Dudley referral guidance.

Local Workforce Development DS sent out a proposal, main feedback was it was a good idea, but there was funding concern over the honorarium. PS is there agreement between the group? DS yes, there are questions about how it’ll work and what LOCs want, but everyone in support. PR concerned about the financial commitment and feel regional education should cover regional matters.

AJ discussed at Walsall LOC, didn’t want a bigger group, like small local events. Also couldn’t see how it would save money. JT concern post-COVID, where would the events be, don’t want to travel, social aspect important in Walsall.

CB the document was really a draft for discussion at ROC. DS honorarium was based on what the CET officers normally get. JT Walsall normally put on 5-7 CET events a year. If 6 CET officers, only a few events each, can’t justify cost of CET officer. DS some costs would be covered by sponsors, especially if 600 people. DG local events may only be wanted if for practical skills, otherwise can be done online. Regional CET has a lot of advantages, need to weigh up costs. PH AOP feedback has shown increased access means an increased appetite for online CET.

PB need to look at the number of existing events pre-COVID and outline a proposal for future events. RR can have blended learning, some remote events, and some smaller in person events. DS looking at regional events with targeted events for particular LOCs. Priority booking for the local LOC and then open up to others.

CB document is a good start. Doesn’t take into account the whole picture. Currently proposed to be equally funded by LOCs, may be better per capita. Need a financial document to go hand-in-hand with the proposal. DG the options range from staying as we are to full blown regional CET, with several mixed options. Need a financial plan for each option. PB would this be a CPD group? PH depends on GOC requirements going forwards. Happy to help. CB me too. PB should we discuss with LOCs when going to be rewritten? PH a brief summary would be useful, to see if any opinions. If we can have feedback by the end of November.

RR sent out an email earlier looking for engagement from LOCs about LOCSU CET. It was aimed as an option for support, rather than mandated.

Midlands Ophthalmic User Group RR we were accidentally missed off the invitations for the group, the next meeting is 5th November. CB the use of IPs within CUES is on the agenda. WS currently only two IPs up and running nationally, looking at remote pathway. Currently they can manage their own patients, but optoms can’t refer to them.

HWMOC Confederation CB sent out document for review. DS would confederation impact CET group? CB not necessarily, could still sit as part of it and wouldn’t need separate financial mechanisms. AJ would there be a levy from each LOC? CB likely. PR with CCGs joining together and things happening at STP level, this seems a likely path. Currently a lot of effort from a small number of people, needs to be formalised so a more constructive and joined up approach. Only concern is another level of bureaucracy. PB main problem with HWMOC is we’re slow to respond as we don’t have a single voice, no one authority on behalf of the region. A confederation should solve that. IH each LOC giving their ROC officer permission to act on behalf of the LOC would also solve that.

PS as document is written, ultimately ROC has to reflect LOC. DG while CCGs might like representative committees, the LOC has no power.

PB develop full proposal to take back to LOCs. PS keep structure of two LOC representatives. PB easier for one to deputise as needed.

AOB PB had email from Helen Haslett who is doing a piece about LOCSU pathways. DG problem is all gone quiet on BMEC front. It was about using CUES/OCT pathway and a childrens pathway. RR Shamina provided info about aspirational service - yag laser FUP. PB will email Ms Haslett, could use as leverage to reopen the door. DG maybe Vince Roberts could come up with some words too.

CB email from Central Optical Fund about a digital magazine, which practices can incorporate into website for National Eye Health Year. All practices can have access.

Date of Next Meeting 7pm Thursday 14th January 2021 (Walsall unless virtual)

Action Plan PB to format letter about proxy LEHN meeting. WS to send out survey for distribution. DS, CB and PH to create regional CET/CPD proposal CB to send out COF digital magazine