Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 7 October 2022
7 October 2022
Wanted – Expressions of Interest for Community Primary Eye Care Services across North, Mid and West Hampshire and Southampton
Hampshire LOC together with Primary Eyecare Service are looking to introduce additional community eyecare services across Hampshire in conjunction with local commissioners.
Services that have been initiated to date have been highly successful and we are looking to build on this over the coming months/year. This will also be building on the Optometry First initiative taking place on the Isle of Wight.
In order for us to plan ahead we would be grateful for your support by completing the Expression of Interest, available via this link HERE
Proposed service summary sheets to help you assess how you can support the LOC in developing primary eye care services across Hampshire are available on request from isilk@hampshireloc.org.uk
Practices in NE Hampshire, Fareham & Gosport, SE Hampshire and Portsmouth who see patients from GP practices in North, Mid and West Hampshire or Southampton are also welcome to express an interest in providing services for these areas.
Article Highlights the Need for Primary Eye Care To Support NHS
An article in the Health Service Journal has set out how primary care can help tackle the growing backlog in NHS Outpatient ophthalmology.
Written by the chief executive of the AOP, Adam Sampson, it calls for eye health pathway reform which Adam describes as “a quick win”.
Hampshire LOC and contractors are pleased to be working with the Isle of Wight commissioners to support Optometry First as highlighted in Adam Sampson’s article.
IR35 Changes for Locums and practice Owners
The following information has been received regarding IR35 status. Whilst this may be useful we would recommend that locums and practice owners consult with their own accountants.
The Chancellor last week announced his mini-budget and amongst many things there was an announcement on IR35. This is something that stakeholders in the Optical industry (Locums and practice owners) are quite heavily invested in, especially since April 2021, when they were last reformed.
I am a dual qualified Optometrist and Chartered Accountant and a treasurer for my local LOC. As an accountant I have seen that there is a misconception amongst my own locum clients and locums in general around the changes announced. I have put small posts on social media platform which has been positively received. Subsequently, I have put together a small brief for the benefit of locums and practice owners, answering the key questions:
- What does the change in IR35 mean for locums?
- What does the change in IR35 mean for practice owners?
Kind Regards,
Mo Chaudhry
Bsc Optometry & Chartered Accountant
Treasurer for Ealing & Hounslow LOC
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/locumkit-111286157
Response on ICSs to the Health and Care Committee
The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) in conjunction with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, the National Community Hearing Association, and with contribution from LOCSU, have had their response to the Health and Social Care Committee on Integrated Care Systems published.
The response calls for systems guidance requiring Integrated Care Boards to demonstrate how they have worked with primary care services (in the widest sense) when preparing and revising their five-year plans and asking Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs) to have a mandated presence for the primary care professionals.
Practice Plus AMD Refresher CPD Event 20 October 2022
Practice Plus will be hosting an AMD CPD event in Southampton on Thursday 20th October 2022 at the Royal Leonardo Hotel in Southampton.
More information and how to register can be found here.
Hampshire LOC Latest News
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 06 November 2026
Information from the Local Pharmacy Committee: NHS Hypertension Case Finding Service Dear Colleagues, We wanted to raise awareness of the NHS Hypertension Case-Finding Service (HCFS), which is available through many community pharmacies across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The service supports the early detection of high blood pressure by offering in-pharmacy blood pressure checks …
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6 November 2026
Latest News From Hampshire LOC – 23 October 2026
Patient Complaints Template Available Following CUES Decommissioning Supporting Patients Who Wish to Raise Concerns The Hampshire LOC and LOCSU have developed a template letter for practices to provide to patients who previously accessed CUES and wish to express dissatisfaction regarding recent service changes. The letter encourages patients to direct their concerns and feedback appropriately to …
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23 October 2026
Hampshire LOC Newsletter – 16 October 2026
Low Vision and Stable Glaucoma Services to Continue in 2026/27 Service Continuity Confirmed The ICB has confirmed that both the Low Vision Service and Stable Glaucoma Service will continue throughout the 2026/27 financial year under existing service arrangements. Practices are asked to continue seeing and supporting patients as usual while discussions regarding future contract renewals …
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16 October 2026
Hampshire LOC Email Errors Now Resolved- 09 October 2026
Hampshire LOC Email Service Restored We are pleased to confirm that the Hampshire LOC email system is now fully operational following recent domain-related issues. If you previously attempted to contact us and did not receive a response, we kindly ask that you resend your email. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience …
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9 October 2026
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 09 October 2026
REMINDER: Hampshire LOC Strategy Planning Day – We Need Your Feedback! Hampshire LOC Committee will be holding a dedicated Strategy Planning Day on 12 October 2026, bringing together the whole committee to review our progress and set our priorities and objectives for the year ahead. To help ensure our plans reflect the needs of the profession, …
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9 October 2026
Hampshire LOC Email Errors – 08 October 2026
Server Errors Hampshire LOC are experiencing technical issues receiving emails from outside our organisation. Please bear with us while we work on the solution. You can still contact us using our social media pages Facebook and LinkedIn Many thanks, Hampshire LOC
8 October 2026
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 02 October 2026
Hampshire LOC Strategy Planning Day – We Need Your Feedback! Hampshire LOC Committee will be holding a dedicated Strategy Planning Day on 12 October 2026, bringing together the whole committee to review our progress and set our priorities and objectives for the year ahead. To help ensure our plans reflect the needs of the profession, we …
Continue reading “Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 02 October 2026”
2 October 2026
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 25 September 2026
Upcoming CPD Opportunity: The Biology of Breathing Hampshire LOC is pleased to share an upcoming online CPD event exploring the fascinating relationship between breathing and health. The Biology of Breathing will provide insights into the science of breathing and its wider impact on wellbeing and clinical practice. Online via Microsoft Teams – 29th September 2026 …
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25 September 2026
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 18 September 2026
REMINDER: Hampshire CUES Decommissioning Update Webinar & Q&A Join Hampshire LOC, Primary Eyecare Services (PES) and LOCSU for a virtual meeting on 23 September, 7.00pm to 8.00pm, to hear the latest update on the decommissioning of the Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) in Hampshire. The session will provide an opportunity for contractors and performers to …
Continue reading “Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 18 September 2026”
18 September 2026
Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 11 September 2026
REMINDER: Hampshire CUES Decommissioning Update Webinar & Q&A Join Hampshire LOC, Primary Eyecare Services (PES) and LOCSU for a virtual meeting on 23 September, 7.00pm to 8.00pm, to hear the latest update on the decommissioning of the Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) in Hampshire. The session will provide an opportunity for contractors and performers to understand …
Continue reading “Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 11 September 2026”
11 September 2026