Workforce Funding Available
13 November 2025
Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), in collaboration with Local Optical Committees (LOCs) across the area, are pleased to continue its offer to the Community Optometry workforce throughout 2025.
If you are interested in applying for funding to enhance your skills and knowledge, please complete the Expression of Interest form online. Already, the ICB has funded a number of applicants to gain qualifications in medical retina, independent prescribing, leadership development, glaucoma and paediatric eyecare. We will consider all applications.
To be eligible, you must be working at least 70% of your time within the Humber and North Yorkshire area. Successful applicants will be required to contribute £250 towards course fees and the ICB will fund the remainder.
Applicants will be responsible for selecting a training provider / institution and course of their choice. For courses where placements or supervision is required, you will need to arrange this before funding is released. If required, the ICB can offer support in securing a placement with our partners from NHS Trusts at Hull University Teaching Hospital (HUTH), York and Scarborough, Harrogate and District, and North Lincolnshire and Goole (NLAG).
Queries can be directed FAO Melissa/Debbie at hnyicb-ny.primarycarecontracts@nhs.net
North Yorkshire LOC Latest News
HES Updates
Hospital Eye Services Update York Eye Hospital (York HES) ⚠️ Urgent Action Required: Patient Contact Details Debbie (Triage Nurse) from York Eye Hospital and Sarah Anderson (Consultant Ophthalmologist) have shared recent incidents where urgent referrals were received with incorrect patient details, particularly out-of-date or missing telephone numbers. They have requested an urgent reminder to all …
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11 June 2026
Paediatric Pathway screening scheme
New Initiative: School Vision Screening Improving Paediatric Eyecare in North Yorkshire Looking ahead, the LOC is excited to begin work on a new initiative for 2026: improving school vision screening across North Yorkshire. This is an important area of development, and we look forward to sharing more details as the project progresses. North Yorkshire is …
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11 June 2026
Cataract Referrals & SPoA
Cataract Referrals & SPoA Update Humber and North Yorkshire ICB Last year, the Humber and North Yorkshire ICB introduced the Single Point of Access (SPoA) for cataract referrals. This means GOS18 referrals are now processed via Gateway Accenda rather than the previous referral refinement form sent to the Choice Office. Practice Workflow & Regional Uptake: …
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11 June 2026
IMPORTANT! Support Drop-in Session Tuesday 9th June – OFNC Survey
Urgent: OFNC Survey 2026 North Yorkshire LOC Advocacy & Action We are reaching out from the North Yorkshire LOC committee to highlight the vital importance of the current OFNC (Optical Fees Negotiating Committee) Survey and to urge every contractor in our region to participate. This survey is a critical opportunity to provide robust, empirical evidence …
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7 June 2026
Important – All GOS Contractors!
Important: Annual GOS Complaints Submission 2025/26 National Briefing & Compliance Reminder for North Yorkshire Contractors This is a quick but IMPORTANT reminder for all our General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) contractors across North Yorkshire. The window for the annual GOS Complaints Submission for the 2025/26 financial year is currently open. Please note that completing this data …
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21 May 2026
Volunteers Wanted 14th & 15th June
Volunteers Needed: Optometry Tomorrow 2026 Join us to learn. connect. grow. This is an urgent call for volunteers to assist The College of Optometrists at their conference, Optometry Tomorrow 2026. We need individuals to act as patients during workshop sessions, helping to train eye care professionals. Event Details & Volunteer Role: When: Sunday 14 and …
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21 May 2026
Next Committee Meeting 4/6/26
Upcoming Committee Meeting Date: Thursday 4th June Time: 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM Location: Zoom Virtual Meeting Observers are warmly welcomed. To attend or raise an agenda item, please email: northyorkshireloc@gmail.com
27 April 2026
NY LOC Workforce Funding April 2026 to March 2027
Workforce Funding 2026/27 Skills & Knowledge Development | April 2026 – March 2027 North Yorkshire LOC continues to support the development of the Community Optometry workforce throughout 2026/7. We have allocated a funding pot of £30,000 for this financial year and have refined the criteria accordingly. Eligibility & Criteria: Work at least 70% of your …
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27 April 2026
Refugee Eye Care
Guidance: Eye Care for Afghan Refugees NHS England Published Process This is a reminder regarding the NHS England guidance on providing eye care to Afghan refugees, specifically the process for providing GOS sight tests to refugees who have not yet received their health cost paperwork (HC2 certificates). Eligibility & GOS Claims: Asylum seekers and refugees …
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27 April 2026
Binocular Vision Survey
Optometrist Survey: Confidence in Binocular Vision Research Study | The University of Manchester This study is being conducted by Dr Ketan Parmar, Dr Catherine Porter and Amina Bashir (The University of Manchester), and Kate Vernazza (Manchester Royal Eye Hospital). This short survey for all UK optometrists looks at confidence in assessing and managing binocular vision. …
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27 April 2026
