Reading List

Sources used for this course. Check the latest national guidance and local SOP before advising patients or submitting claims.

• NHSBSA: Patient exemption checking guide for ophthalmic teams in England - https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/patient-exemption-checking-guide-ophthalmic-teams-england
  Explains declaration, evidence and record expectations for ophthalmic teams in England.
• NHS: Free NHS eye tests and optical vouchers - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/
  Public-facing eligibility information for NHS sight tests, optical vouchers, complex lens vouchers, mobile sight tests and refunds in England.
• PCSE: Ophthalmic Payments - https://pcse.england.nhs.uk/services/ophthalmic-payments
  Provider information for ophthalmic payments and claim processes in England.
• GOV.WALES: Get help with NHS eye care costs - https://www.gov.wales/get-help-nhs-eye-care-costs
  Welsh Government information on help with NHS eye care costs.
• NHS inform: NHS community eyecare - https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/eyecare/nhs-community-eyecare/
  Scottish public guidance on NHS eye examinations, optical vouchers, repairs, replacements and refunds.
• National Services Scotland: Ophthalmic claims and allowances - https://www.nss.nhs.scot/browse/ophthalmic-services/ophthalmic-claims-and-allowances
  Scottish provider guidance on ophthalmic claims, allowances, optical vouchers and claim verification.
• nidirect: Eye care - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/eye-care
  Northern Ireland public guidance on eye care and sight tests.
• nidirect: Help with health costs - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/help-health-costs
  Northern Ireland public guidance on help with health costs, including entitlement routes that may affect optical costs.
• NHS Counter Fraud Authority: Optical practitioner or practice - https://cfa.nhs.uk/fraud-prevention/reference-guide/types-of-fraud-within-the-NHS/NHS-employees/eyecare-opticians-optician
  Examples of optical-practice fraud risks, including enhanced claims, false claims and double income.
• GOC Standard 16: Be honest and trustworthy - https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-of-practice-for-optometrists-and-dispens/16-be-honest-and-trustworthy.html
  Sets expectations on honesty, integrity, conflicts of interest, commercial pressure and clear cost information.
• GOC Standard 8: Maintain adequate patient records - https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-of-practice-for-optometrists-and-dispens/8-maintain-adequate-patient-records.html
  Useful follow-on learning where claim accuracy depends on record quality and audit trails.
• GOC Standard 14: Maintain confidentiality and respect your patients' privacy - https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-of-practice-for-optometrists-and-dispens/14-maintain-confidentiality-and-respect-your-patie.html
  Relevant where eligibility checks, records, declarations and benefit information must be handled privately.
• GOC Standards for Optical Businesses - https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-for-optical-businesses.html
  Sets business expectations on transparency, compliance, governance, confidentiality, training, supervision and support.