Core Hours

What are core hours?

Core hours are the hours that the Contractor has agreed with the Local Health Board to provide WGOS 1 and 2.  They usually correspond to the days and times a WGOS Optometrist / OMP is available.

What does the regulations say?

1. When applying to be included in the Ophthalmic List as a Contractor (this applies to practices), the Contractor must state the hours that they intend to provide / deliver WGOS 1 and 2 [The National Health Service (Ophthalmic Services) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (senedd.wales), Schedule 3: Part 2 3(g) page 56].
2. Prior to the Service Agreement being issued, the Contractor must notify the Health Board of any material changes (i.e. a significant change or condition that can affect the agreement) to their application within 7 days of the change taking place. [The National Health Service (Ophthalmic Services) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (senedd.wales), Schedule 3: Part 2 4(b) page 58].
3. Core hours are agreed between the Contractor and Health Board ahead of being included in the Ophthalmic List.
4. The Ophthalmic List must include the Contractor’s Core hours [The National Health Service (Ophthalmic Services) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (senedd.wales), Schedule 3: Part 1 1(h) page 55].
5. Once the Service Agreement has been agreed, the Contractor must notify the Health Board within 14 days of any changes to any of the details listed against their entry on the Ophthalmic List [The National Health Service (Ophthalmic Services) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (senedd.wales), Part 4, Chapter 4, 26 (1)  page 27]
6. The Contractor must consider guidance issued by the Health Board or Welsh Ministers The National Health Service (Ophthalmic Services) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (senedd.wales), Schedule 4, 29 (b); page 90.  The WGOS 1 and 2 Service Manual would fall under this regulation.
7. The WGOS 1 and 2 Service Manual states:

Conclusion:

• As the core hours are included on the Ophthalmic List, the Contractor must therefore provide at least 14 days’ notice of any planned changes.
• In accordance with the WGOS 1 and 2 Service Manual:
  • A Contractor must provide 3 months’ notice if they wish to withdraw from the Ophthalmic List
  • A Contractor must provide 3 months’ notice if they wish to relocate the premises.
  • Contractors are not expected to notify the Health Board of any changes to core hours related to Bank or Public Holidays

NB:

Core hours do not form part of the declaration completed by the Contractor when applying to join the Ophthalmic List. Details of the Declarations made by the Contractor are detailed in The National Health Service (Ophthalmic Services) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (senedd.wales), Schedule 3: Part 2 7 (page 60 – 64).