World Optometry Week 2026 – Dorset LOC Update
23 March 2026
This week marks World Optometry Week 2026, an annual opportunity to celebrate the vital role that optometrists and optical practices play in protecting eye health and supporting our communities.
Across Dorset, contractors and performers continue to deliver high‑quality, accessible eyecare—often acting as the first point of contact for patients seeking advice, reassurance, and clinical expertise. World Optometry Week is a timely reminder of the impact our profession has every day, from preventing avoidable sight loss to supporting wider public health priorities.
The global theme for 2026 focuses on “Optometry as Essential Primary Care”, highlighting the importance of integrating community eyecare into wider health systems. This aligns closely with ongoing work in Dorset to strengthen pathways, improve access, and ensure patients receive the right care in the right place.
Celebrating Optometry in Dorset
We want to take this opportunity to thank all Dorset practices for:
- Delivering high‑quality clinical care in increasingly challenging conditions
- Supporting patients with urgent eye problems
- Providing essential monitoring and care
- Championing eye health within local communities
Your work is valued, recognised, and essential.
Get Involved
Throughout the week, practices may wish to:
- Share eye‑health messages on social media
- Highlight the role of optometry teams within your practice
- Promote the importance of regular sight tests
- Engage with local community groups or patient networks
If you’d like ready‑made graphics or messaging, the World Council of Optometry and other professional bodies have downloadable resources available.
Stay Connected
We’ll continue to share updates, resources, and local developments on the Dorset LOC website. If your practice is doing something special for World Optometry Week, we’d love to hear about it!
Thank you once again for your continued professionalism and commitment to patient care.
Dorset LOC
Dorset LOC Latest News
Important! OFNC Survey: Contractors Urged to Share Evidence on Unfunded GOS Work
Important! OFNC Survey: Contractors Urged to Share Evidence on Unfunded GOS Work The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) is calling on all contractors in England to take part in a new confidential survey (by the 22nd June 2026) designed to capture the scale of unfunded workload associated with GOS delivery, as well as wider cost pressures …
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4 June 2026
Notification of Annual General Meeting & CPD Event 20th May 2026
Notification of Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Dorset LOC will be held on Wednesday 20th May 2026, 630pm at the RNLI College, Poole. The agenda for the AGM is attached (subject to amendments). We hope that as many local contractors and performers as possible will attend the meeting to hear all about …
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16 April 2026
Official Update – CHEC Community Ophthalmology Service Extended until March 2027
The LOC received official confirmation this morning that the CHEC contract to deliver the Community Ophthalmology Service has been extended to the end of March 2027 & will not be renewed beyond then. We received assurances from NHS Dorset that the LOC will be fully involved in planning & developing eyecare services beyond 2027. We …
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19 March 2026
Dorset LOC CPD Study Day Sunday 26th April 2026 – Book Now!
Dorset LOC is hosting a CPD study day on Sunday 26th April 2026, at Hotel Collingwood, Bournemouth (11 Priory Rd, Bournemouth BH2 5DF). https://maps.app.goo.gl/NwXqV2CiywgqMR8M7 We have a limited number of places for this event and places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. The event will run from 9:30 to 16:30, lunch, snacks and drinks (tea …
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10 March 2026
Upcoming CPD Webinar – Advancing the Standard of Care in AMD (1 CPD Point)
Webinar: Advancing the Standard of Care in Age‑Related Macular Degeneration Date: Wednesday 25 February 2026 Time: 6:45pm – 7:45pm (GMT) CPD: 1 Point (SpaMedica is registered with the GOC as a CPD provider) Stay at the forefront of AMD care with this focused one‑hour session from SpaMedica. The webinar will cover: Latest insights into Age‑Related …
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6 February 2026
Optometry Bulletin for January 2026
Please find attached a copy of the Optometry Bulletin for January 2026, produced by NHS South West Collaborative Commissioning Hub for holders of General Ophthalmic Services contracts and their teams. January 2026 Bulletin
3 February 2026
REQUEST FOR PRACTICES TO JOIN RNIB PILOT
Dear Constituents, Pilot call out to primary care Dorset Please find above, a Pilot Call Out from Stephen Weymouth of the RNIB who is looking for interested practices to join, with a view to feeding the information gained back to the ICB for a possible new service in the future. Practices would simply have to …
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3 February 2026
PPV Information
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3 February 2026
SpaMedica Dorchester CPD Evening | Mon 26 January 2026
SpaMedica Dorchester CPD Evening Date: 26 January Time: 6:00pm – 8:30pm Location: SpaMedica Dorchester Overview Join them for an engaging SpaMedica CPD evening in Dorchester. Topic: Contemporary Cataract Surgery – Evolving Indications and Managing Complications, followed by a Q&A session. Speaker Richard Newsom – Consultant Surgeon CPD Accreditation 2 CPD points available. SpaMedica is registered …
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5 January 2026
NHS England Issues Update on General Ophthalmic Services Payments
NHS England has issued an update on general ophthalmic services (GOS) fees and payments, including changes to the NHS sight test fee, the 2024 continuing professional development (CPD) payment, and the clinical placement training payment effective from 1 April 2025. Practices are advised to share this information with all staff involved in GOS delivery, including …
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5 January 2026
LOCSU Latest news
LOCSU urges use of optometry in frailty care following Public Accounts Committee report
LOCSU is calling on eye care to be integral to the planning and prevention of frailty after a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report found overloaded GPs could not adequately carry out the necessary assessments.
9 June 2026