News And Events
Virtual Committee Meeting, Monday 16th November 2020 at 7:00pm
VIRTUAL CET
ONLINE CET LECTURE: "Management of AMD, RVO and diabetic conditions", by Priya Prakash from Princess Alexandra Hospital, on Monday 23rd November 2020
Click here for further details and to register.
- News update: NHS Emails And DSPT Toolkit, PPE, Addenbrook's Referrals And FODO News 21/08/2020
- PPE at no charge: NHSE Email GW2672 - FOR ACTION - PPE Portal - Optometry 17/08/2020
- The CET claim line for optometrists is now active: https://pcse.england.nhs.uk/services/ophthalmic-payments/cet-claims
As you may be aware, the Herts LOC AGM which is normally held in March every year was delayed due to the current situation. I'm pleased to say the meeting was held via a virtual platform, Zoom, on Monday 6th July 2020 at 8:00pm.
We are all currently facing very difficult and unknown circumstances that we've never faced before. Part of our role here at the Herts LOC is to disseminate information to all local contractors and performers so you are able to understand and comply with your duties. We understand everyone has had to change the way they think and work in these unprecedented times. We endeavour to continue to keep you up to date with all the relevant information via email and our website.
Our committee has a diverse range of experience and we all work together to support you. A large number of you have been in touch with us, now more than ever, with lots of questions and we will always answer or point you in the right direction. Please don't forget we are here to support you as practitioners in practice,. Therefore, it is vital for us to hear your wants, needs and views in the Optometric field, not only now during this global pandemic but in the future.
This year, we experienced holding our AGM on a virtual platform for the first time. It was a great success, with a record number of attendees.
04/06/2020 CHEC REFERRALS Herts Valleys CCG
09/05/2020 CHEC REFERRALS E&N HERTS CCG
Ceasing Of E&NH Glaucoma Scheme With CHEC 09/05/2020
LOCSU is very aware of the impact that the measures to combat COVID-19 are having across the sector.
While the measures to combat COVID-19 are in place, including the ceasing of routine eye examinations, very minimal income relating to sight examination will be generated by optical practices. This will impact on LOC income and consequently LOCSU income.
To help LOCs through this difficult time the decision has been taken to halt LOCSU levy payments entirely in respect of the four-month period April-July 2020. CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER DETAILS
- “…the freeze will have to be imposed by the Department without OFNC agreement. The OFNC had bid for a reasonable and affordable increase of at least 2.5% in GOS fees this year in line with wider investment in NHS care”.
- “The government’s fee letter does not bear any relation to discussions the OFNC has had with NHS England and our response sets out to correct the record. In the meantime, a serious injustice has been done to the primary eye care sector and eye care patients. The trust and goodwill of a loyal workforce, who will be key to delivering the Outpatient Transformation Programme and relieving long term pressures on hospitals, has been further eroded.”
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Given the current circumstances, Hertfordshire LOC did not hold their AGM on Monday 30th March, as planned. The revised date will be published on the website as soon as is practical
If you would like to be added to our mailing list, would like to attend a committee meeting, or have any enquiries about the LOC, please contact the administrator for more details: [email protected]
Click here to read our most recent newsletter
Copies of previous newsletters may be found at the bottom of the page.
Update from Primary Eyecare Services - DVLA VISION TESTING
LOCSU was disappointed to hear that the recent Primary Eyecare Services company bid for the DVLA Vision Testing Service contract was unsuccessful. The PES proposal offered comprehensive geographic coverage of the UK through the 2500 optical practices that were included in the bid. This would have resulted in shorter travel times and more flexibility for those referred for DVLA-approved sight tests.
While this bid was not successful, LOCSU looks forward to working with PES and all other PECs to respond positively to incorporate feedback into future opportunities.
PREVIOUS EVENTS:
CET EVENING Monday 24th February
A very successful evening of CET was held on Monday 24th February, at the NEW VENUE: Christchurch Baptist Hall, 20 Tewin Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1LG,
Hertfordshire LOC Committee Meeting on Monday 13 January 2020
The last meeting of the Hertfordshire LOC was be on Monday 13th January 2020, at The Crooked Chimney, Lemsford, Welwyn Garden City.
Prior to that, the Hertfordshire LOC held a CET evening on Monday 18th November 2019 at The Pillar Suite, Biopark, Broadwater Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 3AX
If you are interested in hearing about future CET events, please complete the Google Form at https://forms.gle/FNiSkJZUbJGo2Mb86 , or email Dawn Doe at [email protected]and include the following information-
Your Full Name, GOC Number, Place of Work and Town
All information received will be used to notify you about future CET events, LOC meetings and other relevant information. Please email Dawn Doe at [email protected] if you do not wish to receive future communication from Hertfordshire LOC.
The last meeting of Hertfordshire LOC was on 7th October 2019 at the Crooked Chimney, Lemsford, Welwyn Garden City. Minutes will up be uploaded to the website once approved at the next meeting.
The previous meeting of the Hertfordshire LOC was on Monday 24th June 2019, at the BioPark in Welwyn Garden City. Minutes will be available on the website soon.
HERTS LOC AGM
Herts LOC held their last AGM on 25th March at the BioPark in WGC. It was an excellent opportunity for practitioners to find out about the LOC, the work that is done to represent practices (the industry), and how we can influence the direction and decisions that are made.
In times of change, such as changes in the NHS and the introduction of enhanced services in other areas, it is vital that we are heard and do everything we can to protect our patients and practices.
Each year now, one third of the LOC is up for election and we are actively seeking Optometrists and DOs with a passion for their roles and a desire to help represent their colleagues.
If you would like any further information about our work or applications to join the committee, please email Dawn on [email protected]
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CET Grant 2019
Applications for the 2019 CET Grant have now closed.
Message from Janine Collier:
Many thanks for the opportunity to speak with you all on Monday evening. I hope that you found the talk helpful.
As an addendum, it is worth me saying that, as you know, the vast majority of optical care is excellent – in fact, when I did my research for this talk, I was surprised at just how few Optical cases had been reported. My brief was to highlight certain pitfalls and I highlighted just a few cases that have been in the public domain as I can talk about these freely and openly. All three case studies, perhaps unsurprisingly given the law of averages, involved two of the largest employers of optometrists (Specsavers and Boots), but the themes and threads can be applied across all practices and were, I hope, food for thought.
Optometry, Ophthalomology & the Law of Negligence - PDF