Latest News from Wiltshire LOC – 21 August 2026
21 August 2026
Action Required: Quality in Optometry (QiO) 2025-2028 Submission
Priority Update for GOS Contractors
Optometry Southwest has issued a reminder for all General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) contractors to complete their Quality in Optometry (QiO) 2025-2028 self-assessment submission, a mandatory requirement under GOS contractual terms.
The QiO programme is a national assurance process designed to support consistency, safety and quality across optometry services in England. Contractors are required to submit a self-assessment once every three years via the LOCSU-hosted portal.
Key Information
Submission Deadline:
11:59pm on Friday 27 November 2026
Submit via the QiO Portal:
Access the QiO Portal
Practices that have already completed their submission do not need to take any further action.
Please note: Completion of the QiO return is a contractual requirement. Contractors who have not submitted by the deadline will be contacted regarding their outstanding return.
Have Your Say: Ophthalmic Payments Service Review
NHS England has commissioned a discovery exercise to review the current Ophthalmic Payments Service and identify opportunities for improvement.
Feedback is sought from colleagues with experience of using or working with the service. Responses will help identify challenges, understand local processes and capture any business rules or workarounds that support the current system.
How to Get Involved
Complete the online survey by 10 September 2026
Or Join a Drop-In Session
Session 1
- Wednesday 2 September 2026
- 12:00pm to 1:00pm
- Join Session 1
Session 2
- Tuesday 8 September 2026
- 4:00pm to 5:00pm
- Join Session 2
There is no need to book and you are welcome to join for as much or as little of the session as suits you. You may also complete the survey and attend a session if you wish to provide additional feedback.
Your input will help shape future improvements to the Ophthalmic Payments Service.
Research Opportunity: Share Your Views on AS-OCT in Children’s Eye Care
Researchers from UCL, Great Ormond Street Hospital, the College of Optometrists and Ulster University are seeking feedback from optometrists on the potential role of anterior segment OCT (AS-OCT) in children’s eye care.
The research is exploring whether AS-OCT could support the detection and monitoring of uveitis in children at risk, including those with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and other immune-mediated eye conditions.
The team would like to understand optometrists’ views on:
- The feasibility of AS-OCT in practice
- Service capacity and infrastructure requirements
- How services might fit within current community eye care funding models
The survey is open to all optometrists working in settings that see children and takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.
Complete the survey:
AS-OCT Community Eye Care Survey
For further information, please contact Dr Sonali Dave at sonali.dave@ucl.ac.uk.
Help Shape Low Vision Services
The University of Manchester, in partnership with LOCSU, is mapping the provision of low vision services within primary care optometry practices across England.
Practices are invited to complete a short survey to help build a clearer understanding of current low vision service provision. The survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete.
Complete the survey here:
The findings will help support, promote and inform the future development of primary care optometry low vision pathways.
Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this important work.
Wiltshire LOC Latest News
Latest News from Wiltshire LOC – 09 October 2026
Menopause Awareness Month: The Link Between Menopause and Eye Health October is Menopause Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to highlight an important but often overlooked aspect of women’s health: eye health. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can have a significant impact on the ocular surface, increasing the risk of dry eye disease and related …
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9 October 2026
Latest News from Wiltshire LOC – 02 October 2026
AI in Eye Care CPD Event How AI is Transforming Digital Eye Care – and What Comes Next Practice Plus Group is hosting an online CPD event exploring how artificial intelligence and digital technologies are reshaping eye care. The session will cover topics including clinical AI, teleophthalmology, virtual clinics, home monitoring and patient-facing technologies, with …
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2 October 2026
Optometry Bulletin September 2026
Optometry Bulletin September 2026 Please find enclosed a copy of the Optometry Bulletin for September 2026, produced by NHS South West Collaborative Commissioning Hub. September 2026 Bulletin
30 September 2026
CPD Event: How AI is Transforming Digital Eye Care
CPD Event: How AI is Transforming Digital Eye Care – and What Comes Next Tuesday 20 October | 6:30pm to 8:00pm Online via Microsoft Teams 2 CPD Points Available Practice Plus Group is pleased to host this engaging CPD event exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming modern eye care. The session will cover current …
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29 September 2026
Latest News from Wiltshire LOC – 29 September 2026
OPERA Update: Improved Episode Management Primary Eyecare Services has introduced an enhancement to the ‘Update Episode’ function within OPERA.Previously, selecting “Update Episode” redirected users to an external JotForm. The process is now completed entirely within OPERA through a new integrated form, creating a more streamlined and efficient user experience. Key Changes Update requests can now …
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29 September 2026
Latest News from Wiltshire LOC – 04 September 2026
BSW Eye Care Navigation Service: Help Shape Future Referrals The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) Eye Care Navigation Service (ECNS) launched on 7 July 2026, providing practitioners with two ways to refer patients into the service: Via secure email to cnech.pecservices@nhs.net Via the OPERA GOS18 module While both referral routes remain available, Primary Eyecare …
Continue reading “Latest News from Wiltshire LOC – 04 September 2026”
4 September 2026
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
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