Sunderland Eye Infirmary have some new positions as ‘Clinical Lead Optometrist’ (shortly to be moving to a new hospital in Sunderland City Centre). This may be of interest to optometrists in the area. Link to the job advert is on the Job Vacancies page. If anyone is interested or requires further information, please …
Continue reading “Job Vacancy at SEI”
13 May 2026
Notification of Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Durham LOC will be held on Wednesday 20th May at Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham with a start time of 6.30pm. A buffet will be served from 6pm. In addition to the AGM, we will be providing free CPD in the form of a peer review …
Continue reading “Durham LOC AGM 2026”
22 April 2026
A trial is currently looking for patients for Galaxy Study : A Phase 2 Multicenter, Randomized, Double-masked, Sham-controlled, Reference-arm Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of ONL1204 in Patients With Geographic Atrophy (GA) Associated With Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) The Study is looking for patient that are 55 years of age or older at Screening. …
Continue reading “AMD Study Participants Required”
22 April 2026
NTWLOC will be holding Glaucoma OSCEs on Sunday 29th March 2026. The event will take place at the Optometry Department, Newcastle Eye Centre, RVI. To complete the OSCEs you must first have completed the WOPEC modules. To reserve a place please reply to secretary@ntwloc.org.uk
16 March 2026
Your LOCs are involved in a project looking at glaucoma care in the North East and North Cumbria region, and longer term transformation to eye care pathways. To help us understand interest and capacity within primary care optometry: please complete the survey using the link below. Please cascade this email to all optometrists who work …
Continue reading “Community Optometry Glaucoma Survey”
16 March 2026
The list of pharmacies that accept MECS written orders has been updated. Please visit the Useful Documents page on the website to find the link.
24 January 2026
If a patient contacts your practice to book a MECS appointment, you must offer them an appointment within the recommended time frame based on their symptoms. If you cannot offer them a suitable appointment, you are obliged to find them an appointment elsewhere. If the patient declines an appointment you have offered within the time …
Continue reading “MECS Service Reminder”
18 December 2025
We are disappointed to communicate the news that the ICB has chosen to decommission the Cataract Pre-op scheme in our area. As of 04/08/2025 referrals in to this scheme will cease. From this date, any referrals for cataract should be directed through the GP. The following elements of the cataract pre-op assessment were part of …
Continue reading “Durham Cataract Pre-Op Scheme Decommissioned”
20 July 2025
Thank you everyone who came to the Durham LOC CPD and AGM Event! We hope you all enjoyed the Peer Review and the updates from LOCSU and PES. Thank you Nina Hodgkiss, Andy Byrne and Naomi Smith. We are also happy to announce we have 2 new committee members – an Optometrist Performer and a …
Continue reading “A Great AGM and CPD Event”
6 June 2025
The Durham LOC AGM is on Wednesday 4th June at the Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham. This includes a 3 point CPD Peer Review as well as local updates. We’d love you to join us! Attendance invite link below: https://www.eventleaf.com/Attendee/Attendee/EventPage?eId=%2FFgsqg56dynyzTZ%2B1Z%2BfmA%3D%3D
20 May 2025
Following extensive engagement with LOCs and the LOCSU team, as outlined in the LOCSU Transformation Update, we are now recruiting for four Regional Optometry Partners to begin in Summer 2026.
15 May 2026
With a degree in Sports Journalism, Ashley Stone, one of LOCSU’s newest team members, has stepped up to the plate.
13 May 2026
The Optical Fees Negotiation Committee (OFNC) is in discussion with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) regarding General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) fees and grants for 2026/27 and is seeking urgent engagement with GOS contractors to inform these.
8 May 2026
