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As we approach the end of the first year in our 2025–27 CPD cycle, a quick reminder to complete or review your Personal Development Plan (PDP). Remember, your PDP should evolve with you. You can update it anytime during the cycle to reflect new goals or learning outcomes. It will also be essential for your reflective …
Continue reading “Final Quarter Check-In: Complete Your PDP”
23 October 2025
We have been advised that, from 1st July 2025, the Ophthalmology Out-of-Hours (OOH) service for BLMK region will operate on a shared rota between Bedford Hospital, Luton & Dunstable University Hospital, and Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH). For urgent sight threatening ophthalmology referrals outside of MKUH BUS operating hours, please contact the switchboard on 01908 …
Continue reading “Further Update – Ophthalmology Out-of-Hours service for MK – July 2025”
21 July 2025
Ophthalmology Out of Hours Service We are currently in the process of developing a BLMK-wide Out-of-Hours (OOH) service, which will involve shared cover across the three sites. In the meantime, please note the following important interim update regarding the Ophthalmology OOH service, effective from 1st June 2025: New OOH Service Provider From this date, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS …
Continue reading “Important Update: Ophthalmology Out-of-Hours service for MK from 1st June 2025”
30 May 2025
MKUH NHS Foundation has asked the LOC to share the following information with you: You may be aware that the ophthalmology service at MKUH will be moving to a new site in central Milton Keynes. We will be relocating to the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Lloyds Court, Central Milton Keynes. The clinic will begin …
Continue reading “MK Ophthalmology service is moving”
13 May 2025
The nominal date and time for our AGM was 8.00 pm on 28th April. Like last year, no physical meeting was held; instead, AGM papers were posted on our website and all on our database were given the opportunity to pose questions, nominate committee members and vote for resolutions, online. One committee member, Rajesh Shah, was …
Continue reading “AGM 2025 Update”
9 May 2025
The 2025 AGM of Buckinghamshire Local Optical Committee will be at 8.00pm on the evening of 28th April. Like last year, we won’t be holding a physical meeting; instead you will have the opportunity to pose questions, nominate and vote for committee members, and vote for the resolutions, online. Papers will be posted on this …
23 March 2025
Resources All optometry teams offering NHS-commissioned services and working directly with NHS patients have access to NHS Knowledge and Library Services, such as ebooks, journals, databases and BMJ Best Practice. These resources include specialist ophthalmology and optometry journals and resources on eye conditions. See BLMK Knowledge & Library Resources to sign up for an NHS OpenAthens account, …
Continue reading “NHS Knowledge and Library Services for Optometry Teams”
19 February 2025
From 1st April 2025 InHealth are going to be the new provider of the NHS diabetic eye screening service for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The current providers (Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) will continue to be responsible for screening provision until their contract ends. InHealth currently provide …
Continue reading “New Provider for Buckinghamshire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP)”
17 February 2025
BLMK ICB have asked us to circulate the below information for anyone interesting in attending the conference that is taking place on 2nd April. Join us for a fantastic conference which will bring together community pharmacists, dentists, optometrists, and general practice colleagues across BLMK. The event will be hosted by Dr Vijay Nayar, GP …
Continue reading “BLMK Primary Care Hypertension Conference”
17 February 2025
NHS England has published new clinical priority codes for use by GOS contractors in England. This is due to an error in the current PCSE system which NHS England commission. This means that some sight tests, which should not require an early retest code, are erroneously requiring a code to be entered to process …
Continue reading “OFNC Statement: Clinical Priority Codes”
3 February 2025
Today the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed it will impose yet more real terms cuts on NHS primary eyecare services. GOS1 fees will rise by just 2.5% to £24.13 for financial year 2025/26. All other payments and grants will be frozen at 2024/25 levels. This follows a freezing of patient benefits (NHS voucher values) … Continue reading “OFNC Statement: NHS disregards evidence and imposes more real terms cuts on GOS”
8 December 2025
LOCSU held the first Member Development Day at Grand Connaught Rooms in London on Monday 24 November – celebrated as a success by attending LOCs.
28 November 2025