Come and join us on twitter and facebook...
www.twitter.com/primaryhealthnt
www.facebook.com/mylocaloptician
Saturday 17 November 2012
Wednesday 13 June 2012
PHN Update - 13th June 2012
As the Olympiad looms just around the track Norville are first out of the starting blocks with a new updated and enlarged Sports Catalogue including new models for many sports. And with such inclement weather thoughts also turn to Wimbledon and its classically named frame brand. We previously reported on the launch of a further 18 models ready for the other imminent sports event. Now a very appropriate promotion!
Another Which? Report has been published on dispensing but this one nails the dangers of online dispensing!
The use of ophthalmic telescopes for end-stage AMD has been widened in the States to more patients following FDA approval and its inclusion to all Medicare patients. Do you have information on the success of the procedure in the UK, its usage in NHS/Private operations and any stories about patients that have benefitted? Send it to info@primaryhealthnet.com so we can broaden this discussion.
More news from the DOH this month shows their continuing quest to involve patients in rating their treatment it has published its information strategy – The power of information – which sets a ten-year framework for transforming information for the NHS, public health and social care. The focus of the strategy is on improving access to information, including a commitment that people will be able to access their GP records online by 2015.
To emphasise this approach data on over 8,000 GP practices in England will be used to form a new measure of patient experience for each surgery based on patient attitudes and will help patients choose the right GP surgery and help GPs and the NHS to make improvements to the way they do things.
All optical patients have a similar ability to rate their optician in the Find My Optician” database on www.mylocaloptician.co.uk
Also published is the DOH Corporate Plan.
Check your colleagues receive this fortnightly email and if not just forward it to them and they will continue to receive an update.
Finally don't forget to join all those already following us on twitter to get even more from the site with regular news updates as they happen - www.twitter.com/primaryhealthnt.
As the Olympiad looms just around the track Norville are first out of the starting blocks with a new updated and enlarged Sports Catalogue including new models for many sports. And with such inclement weather thoughts also turn to Wimbledon and its classically named frame brand. We previously reported on the launch of a further 18 models ready for the other imminent sports event. Now a very appropriate promotion!
Another Which? Report has been published on dispensing but this one nails the dangers of online dispensing!
The use of ophthalmic telescopes for end-stage AMD has been widened in the States to more patients following FDA approval and its inclusion to all Medicare patients. Do you have information on the success of the procedure in the UK, its usage in NHS/Private operations and any stories about patients that have benefitted? Send it to info@primaryhealthnet.com so we can broaden this discussion.
More news from the DOH this month shows their continuing quest to involve patients in rating their treatment it has published its information strategy – The power of information – which sets a ten-year framework for transforming information for the NHS, public health and social care. The focus of the strategy is on improving access to information, including a commitment that people will be able to access their GP records online by 2015.
To emphasise this approach data on over 8,000 GP practices in England will be used to form a new measure of patient experience for each surgery based on patient attitudes and will help patients choose the right GP surgery and help GPs and the NHS to make improvements to the way they do things.
All optical patients have a similar ability to rate their optician in the Find My Optician” database on www.mylocaloptician.co.uk
Also published is the DOH Corporate Plan.
Check your colleagues receive this fortnightly email and if not just forward it to them and they will continue to receive an update.
Finally don't forget to join all those already following us on twitter to get even more from the site with regular news updates as they happen - www.twitter.com/primaryhealthnt.
Wednesday 16 November 2011
News Update: Bob Hughes has left the AOP and more...
BREAKING NEWS: Our breaking news is that Bob Hughes has left the AOP. Read more here.
Apart from that, LOCSU provides our main headlines this past week with a two night; two day meeting that saw one of the biggest gatherings at what used to be an AOP event but is now very much in the auspices of The Optical Confederation.
These events are as always bolstered by the Optical manufacturing industry and many companies were present throughout the 2 days, some continuing on through the Hospital practitioner’s conference over the weekend.
A new highlight was the Black Tie dinner held especially to honour those nominated in a number of fields and we report on the winner of the “Best suppliers Company” and about one of our favourite charities among many we support with free pages, winning the Charity of the Year award.
Overall the meeting and the dinner were deemed a great success by the organisers although some attending thought the lectures a little weak in content and not focussed enough on issues affecting Optics and practitioners. In a key note speech from the LOCSU chairman there was a call to action at a local level in a time when Optics has an opportunity to make its voice heard. This was a theme that was re-inforced by many other speakers. Another plea being made in this world of evidence-based services was the need for better national statistical collection of actions & outcomes, a job surely for the IT industry to provide a simple collection system. This would put us ahead of the numbers game as both GP surgeries and secondary care facilities fail greatly in this area.
Other news provides us with some personnel changes at Silhouette with a new sales director arriving from Austria. Meanwhile as Rodenstock members celebrate 20 years since its inception, another lucky group of members are taken to Silverstone Race Track. A busy fortnight all round for Rodenstock who concluded a busy period with the launch of a new lens described as “anything but standard”.
Conference papers, posters and photos are required for the BCLA and time is getting tight for the deadline. We finish with an interesting report on a study of the improving effects of Zeaxanthin on the visual capabilities of the elderly and those with AMD.
Keep your stories coming in please to info@primaryhealthnet.com .We are particularly keen to hear from LOCs and optical leads about their success stories in commissioning as well as any horror stories! And if any areas are successfully providing new services to the public we can report on our public site stories affecting the public in your area. We suggest that LOCs should commit one person to the task of keeping the public aware of what Optometry can provide in their area, and we can provide the numbers visiting www.mylocaloptician.co.uk to read about your services.
Apart from that, LOCSU provides our main headlines this past week with a two night; two day meeting that saw one of the biggest gatherings at what used to be an AOP event but is now very much in the auspices of The Optical Confederation.
These events are as always bolstered by the Optical manufacturing industry and many companies were present throughout the 2 days, some continuing on through the Hospital practitioner’s conference over the weekend.
A new highlight was the Black Tie dinner held especially to honour those nominated in a number of fields and we report on the winner of the “Best suppliers Company” and about one of our favourite charities among many we support with free pages, winning the Charity of the Year award.
Overall the meeting and the dinner were deemed a great success by the organisers although some attending thought the lectures a little weak in content and not focussed enough on issues affecting Optics and practitioners. In a key note speech from the LOCSU chairman there was a call to action at a local level in a time when Optics has an opportunity to make its voice heard. This was a theme that was re-inforced by many other speakers. Another plea being made in this world of evidence-based services was the need for better national statistical collection of actions & outcomes, a job surely for the IT industry to provide a simple collection system. This would put us ahead of the numbers game as both GP surgeries and secondary care facilities fail greatly in this area.
Other news provides us with some personnel changes at Silhouette with a new sales director arriving from Austria. Meanwhile as Rodenstock members celebrate 20 years since its inception, another lucky group of members are taken to Silverstone Race Track. A busy fortnight all round for Rodenstock who concluded a busy period with the launch of a new lens described as “anything but standard”.
Conference papers, posters and photos are required for the BCLA and time is getting tight for the deadline. We finish with an interesting report on a study of the improving effects of Zeaxanthin on the visual capabilities of the elderly and those with AMD.
Keep your stories coming in please to info@primaryhealthnet.com .We are particularly keen to hear from LOCs and optical leads about their success stories in commissioning as well as any horror stories! And if any areas are successfully providing new services to the public we can report on our public site stories affecting the public in your area. We suggest that LOCs should commit one person to the task of keeping the public aware of what Optometry can provide in their area, and we can provide the numbers visiting www.mylocaloptician.co.uk to read about your services.
Friday 21 October 2011
PHN Update - 21st October 2011
With some of you either on or heading for the half term break it seems odd to be considering the Christmas holiday but that’s exactly what PCC are concerning themselves with this week and they have produced important advice for PCTs on opening hours for Opticians.
BCLA provides opportunity to read MGD factsheet in PHNs open Clinical Briefing Page, we urge you to view and download the fact sheet on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), reproduced courtesy of the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS).
Coming closer is the BCLA 8th Pioneers Conference celebrating 50 years of the soft contact lens. News of a new intranet service for dispensing opticians comes to us from Rodenstock.
LOCSU releases onto our secure pages the 12th Hot Brief and there’s also an interesting paper part developed by the Confederation along with other primary care professional groups and trade unions on advising local authorities on commissioning. If you want to see the Hot Briefs you must click here and register, if you are an LOC member you should take the chance to do so.
If you want to see the Confederation document then click here to PHNs LOC support pages. These pages have been opened up to follow an expanded strategy by PHN to involve CCGs.
We report on a survey that predicts 9.9% growth in the ophthalmic market by 2015.
West Midland's police announce deal with Specsavers. Meanwhile a number of personnel changes have occurred at one of the spectrum with a new global president for B & L and meanwhile NEG the largest buying group in the UK add another Development manager.
On line training is still much in vogue featuring KeraSoft from UltraVision. Thun in Switzerland is the latest co project to work with Tom Davies. See the fabulous shop fitting.
Opticians through a Rodenstock survey call for an extension to the light evening on grounds of safety. If you feel we are hard done by because of the forthcoming change of hours, we have a link for you to click.
EK Eyewear in Belfast take advantage of a marketing promotion by Spectrum Thea with a great page on our public site.
Finally don't forget to join all those already following us on twitter to get even more from the site - www.twitter.com/primaryhealthnt
BCLA provides opportunity to read MGD factsheet in PHNs open Clinical Briefing Page, we urge you to view and download the fact sheet on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), reproduced courtesy of the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS).
Coming closer is the BCLA 8th Pioneers Conference celebrating 50 years of the soft contact lens. News of a new intranet service for dispensing opticians comes to us from Rodenstock.
LOCSU releases onto our secure pages the 12th Hot Brief and there’s also an interesting paper part developed by the Confederation along with other primary care professional groups and trade unions on advising local authorities on commissioning. If you want to see the Hot Briefs you must click here and register, if you are an LOC member you should take the chance to do so.
If you want to see the Confederation document then click here to PHNs LOC support pages. These pages have been opened up to follow an expanded strategy by PHN to involve CCGs.
We report on a survey that predicts 9.9% growth in the ophthalmic market by 2015.
West Midland's police announce deal with Specsavers. Meanwhile a number of personnel changes have occurred at one of the spectrum with a new global president for B & L and meanwhile NEG the largest buying group in the UK add another Development manager.
On line training is still much in vogue featuring KeraSoft from UltraVision. Thun in Switzerland is the latest co project to work with Tom Davies. See the fabulous shop fitting.
Opticians through a Rodenstock survey call for an extension to the light evening on grounds of safety. If you feel we are hard done by because of the forthcoming change of hours, we have a link for you to click.
EK Eyewear in Belfast take advantage of a marketing promotion by Spectrum Thea with a great page on our public site.
Finally don't forget to join all those already following us on twitter to get even more from the site - www.twitter.com/primaryhealthnt
Thursday 6 October 2011
Our latest update - 6th October 2011
A bumper edition this week so eyes down, but before we do thanks for raising our visit rates throughout September with many days breaking 1000 visits within the day. The more news we receive the easier it is for you, the professionals, to select the stories you like and to read them at the time and place you want to and of course it’s free!
We start with news from the tri-charity sight agency and David Blunkett's new role. News of the EU Parliament raising the volume on drivers sight tests.
Bob Hutchinson writes about his first GP Forum meetings on behalf of the Royal Society of Medicine General Practice with Primary Care Section.
Expansion is on the minds of a number of companies, both retail and manufacturing and so we mention the expansion plans of Norville Opticians going south plus those of Orasis with their Lite and Professioanl product options.
An old friend Rodenstock also restructures its services with the help of a new Customer Services Manager.
Spectrum Thea announce a Dry Eye Project Agenda and Gratfton and Coopervision sponsor Regional Meetings on Business Improvement by Sight Care Services, we have the full speaker abstracts and dates. Ocuco, now providing CET points, announces more webinars for October.
80’s pop star from Go West joins Rodenstock manager on charity mission going East!
OGS announces a new clinic opening in Mexico.
NHS Choices rolls out patient feedback with explanatory document, whilst the Confederation provides guidelines it thinks will be necessary.
PHN announce a new strategy on its own LOC help and briefing pages. Pages are currently being revamped in the light of future commissioning changes and an emphasis on sharing useful information to all LOCs, LMCs and GP Commissioning groups to provide selected information that will help all professions will be evident from the new pages. PHN will open up pages to all PHN visitors and has started with its new LOC home page.
News comes in as Guide Dogs in London can now use the escalators.
Lots of news from the GOC this week with new Fitness to Practice rules, consideration on the Law Commission review on health care regulators, and the appointment of a new interim Director of Regulation.
The College publishes a new strategic plan, read about it and download here.
Onto new products and this week we feature the British companies waving the Flag at Silmo. We have a full report plus loads of great images which we will repeat on the public site.
Silhouette announces a special Christmas frame edition plus 3 new ranges. Spectrum Thea announce innovative Eye Nutritional drink.
Finally don't forget to join all those already following us on twitter to get even more from the site - www.twitter.com/primaryhealthnt
We start with news from the tri-charity sight agency and David Blunkett's new role. News of the EU Parliament raising the volume on drivers sight tests.
Bob Hutchinson writes about his first GP Forum meetings on behalf of the Royal Society of Medicine General Practice with Primary Care Section.
Expansion is on the minds of a number of companies, both retail and manufacturing and so we mention the expansion plans of Norville Opticians going south plus those of Orasis with their Lite and Professioanl product options.
An old friend Rodenstock also restructures its services with the help of a new Customer Services Manager.
Spectrum Thea announce a Dry Eye Project Agenda and Gratfton and Coopervision sponsor Regional Meetings on Business Improvement by Sight Care Services, we have the full speaker abstracts and dates. Ocuco, now providing CET points, announces more webinars for October.
80’s pop star from Go West joins Rodenstock manager on charity mission going East!
OGS announces a new clinic opening in Mexico.
NHS Choices rolls out patient feedback with explanatory document, whilst the Confederation provides guidelines it thinks will be necessary.
PHN announce a new strategy on its own LOC help and briefing pages. Pages are currently being revamped in the light of future commissioning changes and an emphasis on sharing useful information to all LOCs, LMCs and GP Commissioning groups to provide selected information that will help all professions will be evident from the new pages. PHN will open up pages to all PHN visitors and has started with its new LOC home page.
News comes in as Guide Dogs in London can now use the escalators.
Lots of news from the GOC this week with new Fitness to Practice rules, consideration on the Law Commission review on health care regulators, and the appointment of a new interim Director of Regulation.
The College publishes a new strategic plan, read about it and download here.
Onto new products and this week we feature the British companies waving the Flag at Silmo. We have a full report plus loads of great images which we will repeat on the public site.
Silhouette announces a special Christmas frame edition plus 3 new ranges. Spectrum Thea announce innovative Eye Nutritional drink.
Finally don't forget to join all those already following us on twitter to get even more from the site - www.twitter.com/primaryhealthnt
Friday 16 September 2011
September 16th Update
As Silmo looms towards us in Paris at the end of the month, stories about participating companies are beginning to roll in. PHN will be represented there and will welcome any request from companies to report back after the show with images and new products. Just email info@primaryhealthnet.com to request us to visit your stand on the first day. Tom Davies joins our Silmo Update with news about the Double Bloc Titanium Collection.
The last APPG parliamentarian meeting considered the effects of the NHS reforms in eye care, we publish the full report.
Also from the political sphere we gladly see more PR and interaction emanating from the GOC and recently the CEO used her position in office to raise the profile of Vision Care for the Homeless. Meanwhile the GOC has released figures on the number of students failing to register before the start of their courses. More charity news this week comes from two intrepid running teams from Norville Opticians stables where they will be competing in a Badminton Horseless team event.
And back to the GOC again who are aiming to raise money for eye research. We can all help by reading more says the RNIB in their latest fund raiser.
The BMA are to provide GPs with a toolkit to prompt active involvement under the PPI initiatives set down by the NHS. We publish what they consider to be the benefits to the patients as well as to doctors.
LOCSU with its close partnership with WOPEC in Wales offers the opportunity for those to develop their leadership skills and gain points towards a post graduate qualification. The good news for some is that LOCSU will be funding 11 places. LOCSU has also backed calls for blood glucose testing within practices.
For the first time we are republishing as a story a question and answer about GOS regs on sight test appointment intervals. We think that the answer to booking ahead of the prescribed time is one worth highlighting and we have also made a PDF copy of the then GOS head of services of the DH eye department letter which confirms the ruling and can be downloaded.
Now less than a year to go to London 2012 Olympics their organising body have announced Team GB recognised products both for the Olympics and the Paralympics and the types of products and placement. In connection with this announcement you can read about Zoobug's specially designed frames and sunglasses on our product page.
Technology buffs will be interested in EyeDispense’s new Apple App the first for dispensing for the Apple iPad 2 with available corporate branding. Someone else who thinks her Apple techno products have been appreciated by her patients is Doctor Sahraie in her second practice in Aberdeen.
Finally, don't forget to join all those already following us on twitter to get even more from the site - www.twitter.com/primaryhealthnt.
The last APPG parliamentarian meeting considered the effects of the NHS reforms in eye care, we publish the full report.
Also from the political sphere we gladly see more PR and interaction emanating from the GOC and recently the CEO used her position in office to raise the profile of Vision Care for the Homeless. Meanwhile the GOC has released figures on the number of students failing to register before the start of their courses. More charity news this week comes from two intrepid running teams from Norville Opticians stables where they will be competing in a Badminton Horseless team event.
And back to the GOC again who are aiming to raise money for eye research. We can all help by reading more says the RNIB in their latest fund raiser.
The BMA are to provide GPs with a toolkit to prompt active involvement under the PPI initiatives set down by the NHS. We publish what they consider to be the benefits to the patients as well as to doctors.
LOCSU with its close partnership with WOPEC in Wales offers the opportunity for those to develop their leadership skills and gain points towards a post graduate qualification. The good news for some is that LOCSU will be funding 11 places. LOCSU has also backed calls for blood glucose testing within practices.
For the first time we are republishing as a story a question and answer about GOS regs on sight test appointment intervals. We think that the answer to booking ahead of the prescribed time is one worth highlighting and we have also made a PDF copy of the then GOS head of services of the DH eye department letter which confirms the ruling and can be downloaded.
Now less than a year to go to London 2012 Olympics their organising body have announced Team GB recognised products both for the Olympics and the Paralympics and the types of products and placement. In connection with this announcement you can read about Zoobug's specially designed frames and sunglasses on our product page.
Technology buffs will be interested in EyeDispense’s new Apple App the first for dispensing for the Apple iPad 2 with available corporate branding. Someone else who thinks her Apple techno products have been appreciated by her patients is Doctor Sahraie in her second practice in Aberdeen.
Finally, don't forget to join all those already following us on twitter to get even more from the site - www.twitter.com/primaryhealthnt.
Wednesday 24 August 2011
Our latest update - 24th August 2011
Looks like the Holiday season is finishing early this year especially for our politicians and also judging on the flurry of news reaching us in the last two weeks. However the “silly season” prevails with September’s Which? report supposedly highlighting a number of practices failings in providing good advice to researchers. The College and the Confederation respond separately although in similar vein.
The decisions were made by a secret panel of 3 advisors so the profession is not to know of their depth of understanding of practice optometric issues. Maybe they should declare themselves, and really earn their money.
We report on a major funding boost for Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and how Moorfields is looking for family linked glaucoma sufferers for a gene test.
Allders Opticians in Herts announces a new concept complete refit by its industry owners.
Action for Blind People has prepared an interesting and informative document on “How best to approach and help the blind get around”
The BCLA announces the return of its highly popular Workshops, non members on payment can now attend. We list October’s titles.
One of PHN’s Directors, Bob Hutchinson, has been invited and elected on to the Council for General Practice and Primary Health Care, the largest section of the Royal Society of Medicine’s members with among its membership over 12,000 GPs. Hutchinson comments on his aspirations for his time on the Council.
Uvex, through Rodenstock, announces a new sporty ophthalmic range modeled by the German Mountain Bike champion Karl Platt, and Porsche Design announce their latest models.
Grafton Optical reveal their summer specials, available until 30th September or while stock last.
First to provide information this year for Silmo 2011 is Oliver Goldsmith with their latest collection. Are there more UK companies with products to highlight?
Finally, don't forget to join all those already following us on twitter to get even more from the site - www.twitter.com/primaryhealthnt.
The decisions were made by a secret panel of 3 advisors so the profession is not to know of their depth of understanding of practice optometric issues. Maybe they should declare themselves, and really earn their money.
We report on a major funding boost for Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and how Moorfields is looking for family linked glaucoma sufferers for a gene test.
Allders Opticians in Herts announces a new concept complete refit by its industry owners.
Action for Blind People has prepared an interesting and informative document on “How best to approach and help the blind get around”
The BCLA announces the return of its highly popular Workshops, non members on payment can now attend. We list October’s titles.
One of PHN’s Directors, Bob Hutchinson, has been invited and elected on to the Council for General Practice and Primary Health Care, the largest section of the Royal Society of Medicine’s members with among its membership over 12,000 GPs. Hutchinson comments on his aspirations for his time on the Council.
Uvex, through Rodenstock, announces a new sporty ophthalmic range modeled by the German Mountain Bike champion Karl Platt, and Porsche Design announce their latest models.
Grafton Optical reveal their summer specials, available until 30th September or while stock last.
First to provide information this year for Silmo 2011 is Oliver Goldsmith with their latest collection. Are there more UK companies with products to highlight?
Finally, don't forget to join all those already following us on twitter to get even more from the site - www.twitter.com/primaryhealthnt.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)