Latest Local News from Wiltshire LOC – 09 July 2026
9 July 2026
Secure Referrals to the Eye Care Navigation Service (ECNS) – Important Reminder
Practices referring patients into the Eye Care Navigation Service (ECNS) across Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) are reminded that patient information must only be shared using secure communication methods.
If you are referring via OPERA, no additional action is required.
However, if referrals are sent by email to cnech.pecservices@nhs.net, they must be sent either:
- From an NHS.net email address, or
- Using KnowBe4 Secure Email (formerly Egress)
Using approved secure communication methods is essential to:
- Protect patient confidentiality
- Meet NHS information governance requirements
- Support the safe and timely delivery of the ECNS service
Practices already using Egress can continue to access the platform using their existing login credentials through KnowBe4.
For support or queries, please contact hello@referral.support with ‘BSW Eye Care Navigation Service’ in the subject line.
Action for Practices: Please ensure all clinicians and administrative staff involved in making ECNS referrals are aware of and comply with these requirements
Reminder: Ophthalmic Payments UAT Testing Closes 10 July
A reminder that User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for the updated ophthalmic payments system is currently underway and remains open until Friday 10 July.
Practices and providers are encouraged to complete their testing, if they have not already done so, to help ensure systems are ready ahead of the go-live date and to support a smooth transition to the updated payment schema.
If you identify any unexpected changes, errors or anomalies during testing, please email pcse.pmsegos@nhs.net with “PMS provider testing – Release 26.3” in the subject line. Please include:
- Your organisation code and user name (email address)
- Details of the issue encountered
- Screenshots (where possible)
- Test claim ID(s)
- Any error messages received
The PCSE Ophthalmic Payments Team will review and investigate reported issues.
Action for Practices: Please ensure any relevant staff complete testing and report any issues before the UAT window closes on 10 July.
Quality in Optometry (QiO) 2025–2028 Cycle – Submission Reminder
All GOS contractors are reminded that Quality in Optometry (QiO) is the national optical assurance programme and that completion of the QiO self-assessment is a mandatory contractual requirement under GOS terms of service.
Following agreement across the South West, all contractors are asked to complete their QiO 2025–2028 cycle submission by 23:59 on Friday 27 November 2026.
The QiO self-assessment is completed through the online LOCSU portal and provides assurance of compliance with key contractual, safety and quality standards across optometry services in England.
The South West QiO programme team will continue to issue regular reminders to practices that have not yet submitted, with reminder frequency increasing as the November deadline approaches.
Action for Contractors: If you have not yet completed your submission, please access the QiO Portal and submit your return before the local deadline:
QiO Portal: https://www.
Contractors who have not submitted by the closure date will be contacted regarding their outstanding return.
If you require support with your submission, please contact the NHS South West Optometry Team.
Wiltshire LOC Latest News
Latest Local News from Wiltshire LOC – 16 July 2026
Important Update: BSW Eye Care Navigation Service (ECNS) Referrals Primary Eyecare Services has issued an important reminder for all practitioners referring patients to the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) Eye Care Navigation Service (ECNS) via email. Ensure Clinical Information Is Included in the Referral Letter When sending referrals to cnech.pecservices@nhs.net, all relevant …
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16 July 2026
Important: Wiltshire LOC Guidance on the New Eye Care Navigation Service (from 6 July 2026)
Please find enclosed a letter from Wiltshire LOC Chair Colin Gault regarding the new Eye Care Navigation Service being introduced from 6 July 2026. Letter about referrals.pdf This letter provides clarification following recent discussions with Primary Eyecare Services (PES), LOCSU, OFNC, and neighbouring LOCs regarding the transfer of the existing Referral Support Service to PES. …
3 July 2026
Important! OFNC Survey: Contractors Urged to Share Evidence on Unfunded GOS Work
Important! OFNC Survey: Contractors Urged to Share Evidence on Unfunded GOS Work The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) is calling on all contractors in England to take part in a new confidential survey (by the 22nd June 2026) designed to capture the scale of unfunded workload associated with GOS delivery, as well as wider cost pressures …
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4 June 2026
Wiltshire LOC AGM – May 13th 2026
Book you place now! Use the flyer below for more information and book you place here: Wiltshire LOC AGM & CPD Lecture 13th May 2026 – Fill in form wiltshire_loc_agm_print.pdf
27 April 2026
Save the Date! Wiltshire LOC AGM & Education Evening 13th May 2026!
To all Local Contractors and Performers in the Wiltshire LOC area Notification of Annual General Meeting (AGM) The Annual General Meeting of Wiltshire Local Optical Committee will take place on: Wednesday 13th May 2026 The Bear Hotel, Devizes, SN10 1HS We are pleased to confirm that this year’s AGM will be returning to The Bear Hotel, Devizes, …
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1 April 2026
PPV Information
Latest guide from NHS SW There is a page for contractors on the BSA website about PPV which includes guidance on PPV, a video regarding submitting the evidence and the informal dispute process Post-payment verification (PPV) | NHSBSA The information that the BSA have provided about the dispute process is as follows: 1. Once the PPV …
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3 February 2026
PES Update: New OPERA Functionality for Amending Referral Appointment Dates
PES has shared an update regarding new functionality within OPERA that may be helpful for practices delivering commissioned services. Practices and practitioners are now able to amend appointment dates for the following services directly within OPERA: Post Cataract Integrated Children’s Service Glaucoma Monitoring Pre‑Cataract Referral Services MECS Post‑Vision Screening referrals This enhancement allows revised appointment …
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12 January 2026
NHS England Issues Update on GOS Payments
NHS England has issued an update on general ophthalmic services (GOS) fees and payments, including changes to the NHS sight test fee, the 2024 continuing professional development (CPD) payment, and the clinical placement training payment effective from 1 April 2025. Practices are advised to share this information with all staff involved in GOS delivery, including …
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5 January 2026
Wiltshire LOC Extraordinary General Meeting Notification | Thurs 8th January 2026
Wiltshire LOC invites all constituents to attend the virtual Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Thursday 8th January 2026 at 7:00 pm. The EGM has been called to vote on the adoption of the new constitution enclosed below: Draft Constitution 2025 for adoption.pdf We kindly ask that any questions or concerns regarding the draft be submitted by Monday 31 December 2025. Following the EGM, …
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5 January 2026
OFNC update on delays: 2025/26 fees, Pre-reg and CPD grants
The following statement was released by OFNC: Primary eye care providers have been in touch to ask for updates on fees and when they can claim CPD grants. Since the last update on 20 March, OFNC has been in discussions with NHS England about the data it was using to propose 2025/26 fees. The OFNC had …
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17 November 2025