Latest News from Dorset LOC – 09 July 2026
9 July 2026
Reminder: Ophthalmic Payments UAT Testing Closes 10 July 2026
A reminder that User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for the updated ophthalmic payments system is currently underway and remains open until Friday 10 July.
Practices and providers are encouraged to complete their testing, if they have not already done so, to help ensure systems are ready ahead of the go-live date and to support a smooth transition to the updated payment schema.
If you identify any unexpected changes, errors or anomalies during testing, please email pcse.pmsegos@nhs.net
- Your organisation code and user name (email address)
- Details of the issue encountered
- Screenshots (where possible)
- Test claim ID(s)
- Any error messages received
The PCSE Ophthalmic Payments Team will review and investigate reported issues.
Action for Practices: Please ensure any relevant staff complete testing and report any issues before the UAT window closes on 10 July.
Quality in Optometry (QiO) 2025-2028 Cycle Submission Reminder
All GOS contractors are reminded that Quality in Optometry (QiO) is the national optical assurance programme and that completion of the QiO self-assessment is a mandatory contractual requirement under GOS terms of service.
Following agreement across the South West, all contractors are asked to complete their QiO 2025–2028 cycle submission by 23:59 on Friday 27 November 2026.
The QiO self-assessment is completed through the online LOCSU portal and provides assurance of compliance with key contractual, safety and quality standards across optometry services in England.
The South West QiO programme team will continue to issue regular reminders to practices that have not yet submitted, with reminder frequency increasing as the November deadline approaches.
Action for Contractors: If you have not yet completed your submission, please access the QiO Portal and submit your return before the local deadline:
QiO Portal: https://www.
Contractors who have not submitted by the closure date will be contacted regarding their outstanding return.
If you require support with your submission, please contact the NHS South West Optometry Team.
Amber Heat Health Alert Issued for South West England
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have issued an Amber Heat Health Alert for the South West of England, in effect until 9:00pm on Sunday 12 July 2026.An amber alert indicates that high temperatures are likely to impact the wider population and place additional pressure on health and care services.While optometry practices are not directly affected by medicine storage requirements, practices should be mindful of the impact of hot weather on patients, particularly those who may be older, clinically vulnerable or at risk of dehydration.
Key messages for practices to share with patients include:
- Stay well hydrated and avoid prolonged sun exposure during the hottest parts of the day.
- Be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, including dizziness, headaches, confusion and dehydration.
- Patients with respiratory conditions, including asthma, should ensure they have access to their regular medication as warm weather and high pollen levels can exacerbate symptoms.
- Check on vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours during periods of extreme heat.
Practices may also wish to display or share Government and UKHSA resources to support public awareness of staying safe in hot weather.Above all, please ensure that practice teams take regular breaks, keep work areas as cool as possible and stay hydrated throughout the heatwave period.
Dorset LOC Latest News
Reminder: MECS Appointment Eligibility
We would like to remind all contractors that MECS appointments must not be carried out for patients under the age of 16 or for those whose GP is located outside of Dorset. This is because the current contract with CHEC does not cover these specific patient groups. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring that …
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22 June 2026
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
World Optometry Week 2026 – Dorset LOC Update
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. …
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23 March 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
Latest guide from NHS SW There is a page for contractors on the BSA website about PPV which includes guidance on PPV, a video regarding submitting the evidence and the informal dispute process Post-payment verification (PPV) | NHSBSA The information that the BSA have provided about the dispute process is as follows: Once the PPV check …
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3 February 2026