Latest News from Hampshire LOC 27 February 2026
27 February 2026
Expression of Interest: Smoking Cessation Local Incentive Scheme for Optometry Practices
(For Practices in the Hampshire County Council Region Only)
Survey closes 2 March 2026
Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB are seeking expressions of interest from optical practices for a proposed Local Incentive Scheme designed to embed smoking‑cessation conversations and referrals within routine eye‑care pathways.
Stopping smoking is one of the most effective ways to protect eye health, significantly reducing the risk of conditions such as age‑related macular degeneration and cataracts. As trusted primary care providers, GOS ophthalmic practices are ideally placed to initiate these important discussions with patients.
Developed in partnership with Hampshire County Council Public Health, the scheme aims to support and incentivise practices to:
- Increase uptake of Very Brief Advice (VBA) training among optical staff
- Provide smokefree interventions and motivational advice to patients who smoke
- Refer patients directly to Smokefree Hampshire, the local Stop Smoking Service
- Improve recording of smoking status within clinical systems
- Use patient‑facing communications and campaigns to raise awareness of smoking‑related eye health risks and available cessation support
Further details are available in the enclosed information.
HCC Smokefree Generation 2030 – Optical Project Proposal (Feb 2026) DRAFT.pdf
EOI Form (by 2nd March 2026):
https://forms.office.com/e/Z4WSTePnWN
The form takes only a few minutes to complete. Your participation will help shape a programme with real potential to improve eye‑health outcomes across our local population.
LOCSU Update: NHS Sexual Safety Charter – Current Position for Primary Eye Care
LOCSU has shared updated advice following recent communications from ICBs and NHS England Regional Teams asking primary eye care practices to sign up to the NHS Sexual Safety Charter. We are passing this on to ensure practices have clarity on the current requirements.
NHS England has confirmed that the request to sign up has been made ahead of forthcoming changes to the Employment Rights Act 2026, which will strengthen employers’ duties to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment. Government is expected to introduce further legislation defining what compliance will look like, but this is not anticipated before 2027 and may still change.
At this stage, there is no contractual requirement for primary eye care practices to:
- complete the Sexual Safety Charter – self‑assurance checklist for primary care providers
- sign up to the NHS Sexual Safety Charter
- undertake any additional training beyond what practices already provide as part of routine employer responsibilities
LOCSU and OFNC have been clear with NHS England that there is currently no mechanism within the GOS contract to mandate sign‑up, and that doing so would introduce an unfunded requirement for practices.
Should future legislation be introduced, LOCSU’s position is that existing compliance frameworks—such as QiO—should be used to avoid duplication and ensure processes remain proportionate and appropriate for the primary eye care sector. LOCSU will continue to work with NHS England to shape any future requirements and minimise the burden on practices.
Practices that wish to familiarise themselves with the NHS materials may still do so, and links are available in the original communication.
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