AOC(M)13/04 Minutes: 50-67 GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE NHS BOARD Minutes of a Meeting of the Area Optometric Committee held in the Board Room, Gartnavel General Hospital 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow on Monday 9 September 2013 at 6.00pm PRESENT Ms N C F McElvanney () Mr P Ivins Ms G Leslie Mr M O Neill Mr H Rollason Mr H Russell Ms E Salina IN ATTENDANCE Mr D Cassidy CamGlen CHP Mr F Hamilton Observer Ms A McTrusty Glasgow Caledonian University Mr E P McVey Optometric Adviser Mr F A Munro Optometry Scotland (from 7 pm) Mr W Wilkie of CH(C)P Lead Optometrists Group Ms J Maden Acting Secretary of Area Optometric Committee 50. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS The opened the meeting and welcomed all present. 51. APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Ms M Campbell, Ms M Darroch and Ms A Carson. 52. MINUTES OF THE AREA OPTOMETRIC COMMITTEE The minutes of the meeting of the Area Optometric Committee (AOC(M)13/03) held on Monday 3 June 2013 were approved. 53. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES Pre-School Children s Vision Screening The advised that she had not yet been able to attend one of the monthly meetings held by the orthopists due to the summer holiday period.
Glaucoma Guidelines Ms Salina advised that a meeting of the Glaucoma Subcommittee had not yet taken place, and that email correspondence would be used to refine the already approved AOC Guidance. Mr McVey asked if the Guidelines would go to the Eye Care Service Group for final sign off. The advised that they would. Ms Leslie emphasised that as the AOC is the Statutory Standing Committee this is where the final approved copy should be finalised. The agreed to report back to the Committee with the outcome of the presentation to the Eye Care Service Group. Independent Prescribing for Optometrists The advised that instructions have now been issued for prescribing that have been sent to all practices via Primary Care support. s Report for AOC September 2013 The summarised the items given in her Report for September 2013 highlighting the need to raise awareness for The Centre for Sensory Impairment, that she is taking forward within her capacity of North West Sector Lead Optometrist and AOC. OJOG Sara Reynolds will email the a summary of IT Integration Project Discretionary Vouchers - Ms Leslie felt it was not an appropriate procedure that a clinician should be required to verify a patient s social status with regard to their receipt of government benefits. The Optometric Advisor stated that this matter could be further discussed with Primary Care Support. The chair noted that at the recent Board meeting of NHSGGC the lack of capacity within ophthalmology was being dealt with by the use of the Golden Jubilee Hospital and the private sector. 54. CH(C)P LEAD OPTOMETRISTS GROUP REPORT AND FIRST PORT OF CALL SURVEY The Area Optometric Committee noted the minutes of the CH(C)P Lead Optometrist Group held on 4 June 2013. Mr Wilkie agreed to circulate the Minutes of the Lead Optometrists Group Meeting held on 15 August 2013. Mr Wilkie The first port of call survey and accompanying emails were reviewed and their contents noted. Mr Wilkie reported there had been an 86% response to the survey which, given the workload of most practitioners, was not a bad response. Mr Rollason suggested that the areas highlighted for training should be reviewed each year. He felt that if these were addressed, then it should show an annual improvement. It was agreed that it couldn t be assumed that non-responders weren t doing the same things as the responders. Mr Wilkie advised that the Opticians Medication Supply Project was almost finished. They will now meet with Pharmacy for their comments and to find a way forward. 2
On the subject of Peer Reviews, it was agreed that NES should be approached for help with the funding of this. Mr Ivins commented that he thought the new prescribing facilities would make a huge difference, saving both on Pharmacy and GP time. 55. SPECIALIST DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT FOR COMMUNITY OPTOMETRISTS The Area Optometric Committee noted the letter written by the to Mr Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, regarding the provision of specialist diagnostic equipment for community optometrists, in particular, optical coherence tomography and the response that had been received on 17 June 2013 advising a full response would be sent as soon as possible. This had not yet been received, but the advised she would see Mr Neil in November at the Annual Review and would raise the issue with him again then. 56. PRESCRIBING FOR OPTOMETRISTS The Area Optometric Committee noted the email correspondence on the ongoing discussions with Ms Margaret Ryan, Lead Clinician Prescribing Services, regarding the local implementation of optometric prescribing within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The advised that she had had a number of meetings with Ms Ryan regarding the use of prescription pads. During these Ms Ryan had expressed some concerns about how prescribing habits would be monitored as these would differ from other Independent Prescribers. 57. EYE CARE SERVICES GROUP REPORT The advised that the Eye Care Services Group had not yet met; therefore, there was nothing to report. 58. NHS GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE: CLINICAL SERVICES REVIEW: CLINICAL SERVICES FIT FOR THE FUTURE PROGRAMME The Area Optometric Committee considered the paper which was submitted to the August meeting of the NHS Board seeking approval for the direction of travel set out in the Emerging Service Models discussion paper and agreeing the next steps in the review process comprising a Clinical Services Fit for the Future Programme. The reported that she had attended a meeting at Hampden which had identified that because of the aging population there was a need to provide a level of service between primary care via GPs and secondary care at hospitals. Following this, the 3
had written to Dr Jennifer Armstrong, Medical Director Corporate Services, and Ms Sharon Adamson, Head of Acute Services Planning and Redesign, with some suggestions about how optometrists could contribute to the redesign process. She had received a reply from Dr Armstrong saying her suggestions were helpful and requesting a meeting with senior clinicians and managers. The awaits a response from Dr Armstrong and Sharon Adamson. Mr Wilkie felt that better communications were required between primary and secondary care and that to build a truly integrated service this would need to be addressed. He also re-affirmed what could be achieved by optometrists. The question was raised as to whether it would be possible to refer patients to the Acute Referral Service (ARC) via IT integration. It was felt this was unlikely at present, but hopefully this may become possible in the future. Ms Leslie felt the importance of Clinical Governance should be highlighted regarding the lack of feedback received from referrals into ARC. 59. PROPOSALS TO ESTABLISH HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIPS A paper detailing the Transition from Community Health and Social Care and Community Health Partnerships which was submitted to the August meeting of the NHS Board seeking approval for the approach to develop proposals for the establishment of Health and Social Care Partnerships was noted. The explained that in the past efforts to establish such entities had failed because the proposals were not mandatory. These proposals now make it mandatory for Health and Social Care to work together. 60. ALIGNMENT OF NHS BOARD CATCHMENT AREAS WITH LOCAL AUTHORITY BOUNDARIES The Area Optometric Committee noted a paper which was submitted to the June meeting of the NHS Board on the proposals to realign NHS Board catchment areas with Local Authority Boundaries. Mr Cassidy informed the Committee that he had received a letter from Lanarkshire Council regarding this. Mr Ivins felt, ultimately, it was the patient s choice where they were treated and asked if there was a list which detailed which postcodes should go to which hospitals. The said she had received a request from Patricia Morrison to put the protocols on the GGHB website. Although the agreed this would be a good idea she said she was having difficulty updating the website and that because it could also be accessed by the general public, that this may not be the best place for them. The agreed to wait and see what Patricia provided before making a decision on whether this would be feasible or not. Mr McVey said that he would be meeting Ms Morrison within the following few days and would raise the subject with her then. Mr McVey 4
61. NHS GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE: ANNUAL REVIEW 2013 The Area Optometric Committee noted the Area Clinical Forum briefing paper outlining the arrangements for the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Annual Review 2013. The explained that this paper details the six areas that each specialism should cover when making their presentation to the Minister at the Area Clinical Forum on 18 November 2013. These are: The Quality Strategy Clinical Governance Patient Safety Securing Efficiencies and Improving Quality Workforce Planning Service Redesign The awaits the format that the presentations will be in this year. 62. OPTOMETRISTS RESPONSE TO NHS GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE ANNUAL REPORT ON FEEDBACK, COMMENTS AND CONCERNS The Committee noted the report summarising the optometric response to the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Annual Report on Feedback, Comments and Concerns from patients and carers in the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013 and the actions and service improvements that results from these as required by the Patients Rights (Scotland) Act 2011. Ms Leslie pointed out that the negative comments about practice décor were unfair as Opticians, unlike GPs and Dentists, are not given funding for this. It was also noted that practitioners suggested that more front of house staff training should be provided in view of the fact that they are now required to help triage ocular emergencies. 63. OPTOMETRY SCOTLAND: REPORT In Mr Munro s absence, the provided an update on the latest activities of Optometry Scotland. Optometric Formulary Optometry Scotland are devising a National formulary for optometrists. Scottish Eyecare Group The advised that a meeting has been arranged with the Minister to discuss various matters in relation to this group. National Eyecare Week Ms Leslie advised that she, along with the rest of the executive team, would be 5
participating in a number of events relating to this including a walk, a fitness class and a workshop. Mr Munro joined the meeting (6.55 pm). General Ophthalmic Services Mr Munro explained that General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) is now considered a flagship service. He explained the GOS Regulations have been revised and, as a result, are more workable. Key changes include: guidance has now been removed from the GOS Regulations giving practitioners more scope to exercise their own clinical judgement the new Regulations also allow the use of specific apparatus 64. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PRE-SCHOOL VISION SCREENING STEERING GROUP The Committee noted the minutes of a meeting of the Pre-School Vision Screening Group held on 24 April 2013. Ms Leslie queried Item 4.1 where it was stated that 77.5% of children not registered with a nursery. In her view, this did not constitute good attendance. There was some discussion about this and it was agreed that what it probably meant was that of the children not registered with a nursery (which amounted to 1028 children), 77.5% of these will be invited to mop up sessions. As the way in which this information had been expressed was ambiguous, the agreed to speak to the of the Pre- School Vision Screening Steering Group and ask if there could be some clarification. 65. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE AREA CLINICAL FORUM The Committee noted the minutes of a meeting of the Area Clinical Forum held on 6 June 2013. 66. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS Mr Rollason asked whether it was compulsory for optical staff to wear name badges in practice. It was agreed that it was a requirement for staff on duty to be listed somewhere in the practice, but name badges were not mandatory. The formally thanked William Marshall, former Secretary of the Area Optometrics Committee, for all his work over the past few years. She explained that Mr Marshall had now retired after 26 years of service with the NHS and wished him well for his future. Mr McVey asked if the website would be updated. The suggested that members only should meet 30 minutes prior to the next meeting of the Area Optometrics Committee to review the website and that members should email her any ideas they have beforehand. Mr McVey offered his assistance should this be required. The requested that Ms Maden email her contact details to her. All members Ms Maden 6
67. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Area Optometric Committee will be held on Monday 18 November 2013 at 6.00pm in the Board Room, Gartnavel General Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow. The meeting concluded at 7.20pm 7