Latest Local News from Wiltshire LOC – 16 July 2026
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 clinical information and patient details must be included within the referral letter attachment.
The ECNS administrative team uploads the referral letter and supporting attachments (such as fundus images and visual fields) to OPERA for triage. The text contained within the body of the email is not uploaded and will not be available to the optometrist triagers.
For this reason, practitioners are advised to:
- Include all relevant clinical findings and patient information in the attached referral letter.
- Attach any supporting investigations or images as appropriate.
- Keep the email body brief, simply indicating that a referral is attached.
Consider Using the OPERA GOS18 Referral Module
The GOS18 module on OPERA became available on 6 July 2026 and provides an alternative route for submitting referrals.
Practices already delivering CUES will find the patient lookup process familiar, but the module is available to all practices, including those not currently providing CUES.
Practices wishing to use the module for referral submission can contact hello@referral.support with the subject line:
“BSW ECNS onboarding for referrals only”
The Operations Team will be able to assist with onboarding, and further guidance is available via the OPERA Practice Onboarding resources.
Upcoming CPD Webinars from Practice Plus Group Ophthalmology
Practice Plus Group Ophthalmology is hosting two online CPD-accredited webinars over the coming months, providing valuable learning opportunities for optometrists in primary care.
Interpreting Macular OCT
29 July 2026
6:30pm – 8:00pm
3 CPD Points
This webinar is designed for optometrists seeking to develop their basic and intermediate OCT interpretation skills. The session will cover indications for macular OCT scanning, the four-layer approach to interpretation, and the four skill levels of OCT analysis.
Speaker: Professor Yit Yang
Professor Yang is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Retinal Specialist at Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary. He has extensive experience in retinal services, cataract surgery, clinical research, and ophthalmic education, and has been a Visiting Professor at Aston University since 2008.
Register here:
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c9ed7c6e-82d5-4283-8e9c-1d0f3bc276ff@3b877095-c6a9-41a6-aa50-4c833b9234ed
Mastering Vitreoretinal Pathology Assessment in Community Optometry
18 August 2026
6:30pm – 8:00pm
2 CPD Points
This webinar will help attendees develop confidence in assessing and differentiating common vitreoretinal pathologies in community practice. Participants will explore advanced diagnostic techniques and gain practical knowledge to support accurate diagnosis and enhanced patient care.
Speaker: Mr Madyan Qureshi
Mr Qureshi is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Practice Plus Group North West, Rochdale, specialising in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery. He has over ten years of ophthalmic experience and is actively involved in teaching, research, and clinical education.
Register here:
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/23d93075-b7db-4b07-a3b5-98e354ec50ae@3b877095-c6a9-41a6-aa50-4c833b9234ed
Wiltshire LOC Latest News
Latest Local News from Wiltshire LOC – 09 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 …
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9 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