Minutes for the Dudley LOC Committee Meeting held at 6.30p.m. on Monday 20th April 2015
Russells Hall Hospital, Education Centre
Committee in Attendance
Shamina Asif (Chair), David Wright (Treasurer), Paul Sidhu (Secretary), Kay Reeves, Sonia Tyrrell, Nirinder Hunjan, Sunit Jolly, Peter Bainbridge
Also in attendance
Mark Tuffin, Jasheen Mangat,
1. Apologies
Charles Barlow, Rosie Birhah, Jiva Bangay
2.Declarations of Interest
2.1 Paul Sidhu informed the Committee that Scrivens have asked him to give his clinical input into a PEARS scheme with BMEC (if discussed PS will have to leave the meeting.)
3. Minutes of Previous Meeting
These were accepted as an accurate record, Proposed by SA, seconded by PB
4. Matters Arising
Actions in minutes either completed or dealt with elsewhere in this meeting
5. Correspondence
Hot Briefs distributed prior to meeting by PS.
6. NHS Updates
6.1 Forensic Audit of GOS claims- Peter Bainbridge informed the Committee that the NHS England report regarding conversation rates had been queried by Pete Hampson as his evidence showed the methodology was flawed. HOB are having inspections on 8 practices and the result of the investigation is not known.
7.CCG Engagement
Shamina thinks that Charles and Stuart are due to meet.
8. Chair’s Business
8.1 Healthy Living Optician Scheme – SA reported that the Leadership training has been completed along with the Health Champions training. SA suggested a separate website be set up by the LOC to sit alongside the Healthy Living Opticians Scheme. SA asked PS to set up. The Committee agreed and voted unanimously.
ACTION: PS
SA asked for a volunteer to attend a meeting with her and the Healthy Living team to design some posters. NH volunteered.
8.2 Meeting Reports - At the last meeting SA suggested that in the Nutrition section of the Public Health website an attempt is made to include information relevant to Eye Health.
8.3 College of Optometrists Update
At the Brighton event Professor Lawrenson gave a special mention to Dudley LOC with respect to their Healthy Living Optician Scheme.
The next college event is on 9th June at the Holiday Inn, Walsall, off J7, where a Peer discussion will be held.
8.4 Special Needs Sight Tests - Nothing to report.
8.5 Student Talk at Aston University – The talk was well attended (approx. 50 to 60 final year students) and well received and as a result Aston University has asked for this to be an annual event.
8.6 PCDC Meeting – the meeting was cancelled
8.7 Public Health & Dudley LOC – Nutrition and the Eye – covered elsewhere in meeting.
8.8 LOCSU Personality Testing? – SA informed the Committee that LOCSU Personality Training can be run free for LOC members. If anyone feels they could benefit please email SA.
9. Secretary’s Business
PS proposed that the Committee co-opt Jasheen Mangat, which was agreed unanimously.
9.1 AGM - There is still not a firm date for the joint CET event with Sandwell Local Pharmacy Committee so PS suggested a separate AGM at the Copthorne hotel, date to be confirmed. He recommended this should just be a meal and no CET as Rosie already has a lot on her plate organising CET. This was agreed by the committee. PS reminded the committee that it is up for re-election this year, and candidates should submit forms as soon as possible. The suggested dates are 15th, 22nd, 29th June or 6th July. DW to organise with the hotel.
ACTION: DW
9.2 HWMROC – Nothing new to report. The regional company now has an income from the Wolverhampton Eyecare Scheme.
9.3 Website – PS has not started as yet due to personal commitments. He explained that he needed a few days in a row to do the work, and he will commence as soon as he feels able.
10 . Treasurer’s Business
David Wright has sent the accounts to the auditors. The previous surplus was £33,000 it has now been reduced to approx. £29,000. This is in line with the ongoing aim to get the surplus reduced to approximately £20,000. DW suggests that the Levy is kept at the current rate. DW is also waiting for contributions towards the cost of the student talk and suggested that LOCSU fund this in the future.
11. Vice Chair report
11.1 Urgent Referrals – CB not in attendance
11.2 Cataract Direct Referral and change in criteria
PS reported that the CCG group has changed the referral criteria to 6/12 being required along with an additional problem (from a narrower criteria). Dudley has not been officially informed and PS suggested he speaks to CB before changing anything officially.
11.3 Paid Administrator – CB not in attendance nothing to report
11.4 Falls and Public Health – SA reported that Michelle from Public Health had a meeting with Claire Roberts and Charles Barlow with the intention of adding Falls and Public Health to the Healthy Living Optician Scheme.
12. CET Officer’s Business
RB not in attendance but submitted a report. The next Dudley and Sandwell CET event is on Monday 14th September at the De Vere Village hotel.
RB is still awaiting funding from DOCET with regards to February 2016 CET day and therefore cannot confirm costs.
RB asked the Committee to consider combining the AGM with a joint event with Sandwell Pharmacy Committee and Sandwell LOC in West Bromwich on 18th May but she is aware that this may not comply with the notice period. The committee agreed to make these separate events as we need to set a date for the AGM with 42 days notice to comply with recommended guidelines around AGMs
13. Communication Officer’s Business
NH explained that Facebook and Twitter can be linked to the website when completed. He asked the Committee what type of information they would like to be added to social media, i.e. whether it should be public or professional. The Committee decided that the information should be professional and gave NH the authority to go ahead as long as it was overseen by one other Officer.
NH informed the Committee that he would spend an hour each week searching for other professionals to link into.
ACTION: NH
14. Authorisation to act and email conversations
Same proposal as previously. PB proposed and NH seconded. Authorisation approved.
15. AOB
SA informed the Committee that Michelle from Public Health has asked for speakers to talk in London about Ophthalmic practice. The talk is to be at a conference and SA is to send a link for the Committee to look at.
ACTION: SA
SA is attending a Leadership Skills course in conjunction with Professor Lawrenson. SA has sent out some questionnaires by email and has asked the Committee to please respond when received.
SA has seen that Walsall are in the process of completing an Ophthalmic Formulary to justify prescribing previously banned products. SA wishes to know if Dudley need to be doing this. PS suggested approaching the equivalent Dudley group.
ACTION: SA
16. Date for Next Meeting
Monday 6th July 2015
The meeting closed at 8.15p.m.
ACTIONS / Action byCreate a website for Dudley HLO scheme / PS
Book venue and finalize date for AGM / DW
Continue with social media project / NH
Send a link to the committee regarding a talk in London about Ophthalmic practice. / SA
Try to approach the relevant body regarding the Ophthalmic Formulary for Dudley / SA