Latest News from Hampshire LOC 23 January 2026

5 February 2026

OpenSight Community Connections Pilot in Basingstoke

OpenSight launched a new 16 week Community Connections pilot in Basingstoke on the 7^th January, which was made possible by funding from Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council. The pilot accepts self-referrals and professional referrals for low vision patients of all ages and provides the following services:

• Weekly bookable appointments in central Basingstoke

• Monthly tech clubs

• Insights courses supporting independence and well being

• Activities for children and young people

• Person-centred assessment model

They would value the help of local optometrists to spread the word about this great new service within the community. More details can be found on the enclosed flyer.

OpenSight Basingstoke Community Connections flyer (1).png

Notice of Live Procurement: Special Educational Settings (SES)

South East Optometry Commissioning hub are writing to make you aware that the procurement for Sight Testing and Dispensing of Spectacles to Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is now live.

The procurement officially opened on 5 February 2026, and the deadline for tender submissions is 6 March 2026.

Accessing the Tender

The procurement is being conducted electronically via the Atamis system. Please use the following links and reference to participate:

• Tender Advert: View on Find a Tender Service
• Tender Portal: Access via Atamis Health Family Portal
• Atamis Tender Reference: C401955 (All relevant documentation is located under this reference).

Queries

To ensure the process remains open, impartial and transparent, all queries from potential bidders must be submitted through the appropriate channels:

1. Technical/Bid Queries: Submit directly through the Atamis portal messaging system.
2. General Procurement Queries: Contact the NHS South, Central and West (SCW) procurement team at Scwcsu.procurement@nhs.net.

Directing all communication through these channels ensures that all bidders receive consistent information and that the ICB commissioning hub team maintains total impartiality throughout the process.

Thank you for your interest in supporting this highly important service for children and young people with SEND.

Upcoming Primary Eyecare Services Workshops – Final Spaces Remaining

Primary Eyecare Services is running two valuable online discussion workshops designed to support clinicians delivering enhanced eye care services. Both sessions offer 3 interactive CPD points for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians.

1.Enhanced Eye Care Services: Quality & Professionalism Workshop

Strengthen your approach to quality, professionalism, and complaint prevention through three real‑world case studies. The PES Quality Team will lead interactive breakout discussions focused on maintaining GOC Standards of Practice while keeping patients safe and services complaint‑free.

Ideal for: Clinicians delivering CUES, MECS, or other enhanced services.

Session options:

• Monday 26 January 2026  7:00–8:15pm
  Only a small number of spaces remaining
  To book, please click here
• Monday 9 February 2026  7:00–8:15pm
  To book, please click here 

Format: Zoom with breakout rooms
CPD: 3 interactive points
Duration: 75 minutes

Before joining:

• One device per person
• Camera and microphone required

If the session is fully booked, email communications@primaryeyecare.co.uk to join the waiting list.

2.Promoting Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) within Optics Workshop

This repeat of the popular 2025 event explores how EDI principles influence patient care and workplace culture in optometry, particularly within enhanced services. Through case‑based discussion, attendees will build skills in empathetic communication, inclusive practice, and equitable decision‑making.

Event details:

• Monday 2 February 2026  7:00–8:15pm
  Limited spaces remaining
  (Updated from Tuesday 3 February)
  To register, please click here

Format: Zoom
CPD: 3 interactive points

Before joining:

•  One device per person
• Camera and microphone required for breakout participation

If fully booked, email communications@primaryeyecare.co.uk to join the waiting list.

FINAL REMINDER: Hampshire LOC Online CPD Event & EGM

Thursday 29th January 2026 | 7:00-9:00pm

Hampshire LOC invites all members to attend an online CPD event to be held alongside an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).

The EGM will include a brief discussion on the proposed adoption of a new constitution, with members invited to vote on its approval.

Please use the following link to access the constitution and send in your questions by a deadline of Friday 16th January 2026:

Draft Hampshire LOC Constitution Nov 25.pdf

Following the EGM, and in partnership with LOCSU, the LOC will host a Peer Review Case Study Session, offering 3 CPD points (Also suitable for CLOs and DOs).

Register in advance for this meeting here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/kcZH34PTQ6GBvDUMJIKqDw

You will receive confirmation once you have registered.  We encourage all colleagues to save the date and take part in this important meeting and valuable CPD opportunity.

SpaMedica Southampton CPD Evening: Understanding the Management of Complications After Cataract Surgery (For Optoms & DOs)

Date: Monday 2 February 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Location: SpaMedica, Ground Floor, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, SO50 9NW

This interactive evening will be led by Tathan McShane (Hospital Optometrist) and includes:

• A plenary overview of common intra‑operative and post‑operative complications

• Small‑group discussion of three real‑world scenarios:
  • Corneal oedema
  • Post‑operative uveitis
  • Cystoid macular oedema
  • Consideration of medical management approaches, including for IP‑qualified practitioners

CPD: 3 interactive points (SpaMedica is GOC‑registered as a CPD provider)
Audience: Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians
Extras: Light refreshments on arrival
Booking: First‑come, first‑served due to limited spaces

To register, visit the Eventbrite page.

Important Notice – Website Contact Page Issues

Hampshire LOC would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by technical problems affecting the Contact Us page on our website. These issues may have prevented some messages from reaching us, and we are sorry if you have been waiting for a reply.

Our website provider is actively working with us to resolve the problem. In the meantime, please direct all enquiries to:

manager@hampshireloc.org.uk

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to restore normal service.