As you may have heard the Health Secretary has announced that the required period for self-isolation following a Covid exposure in England was now seven rather than 10 days (subject to negative lateral flow results on days six and seven). UKHSA has confirmed this guidance also applies to healthcare workers, although when going back into …
Continue reading “Period of Self-Isolation Following Covid Exposure”
12 January 2022
NHSE are currently in talks about looking to provide funding for Optometrists to complete the Independent Prescribing (IP) course. They are putting a case together and would like to gauge interest ASAP. The course will start at the end of January (face-to-face or virtual TBC). Places are limited (Approx 10 places for the whole of the South-East). …
Continue reading “Independent Prescribing – Expression of Interest”
26 December 2021
As an Optometrist with Visioncall your role is very different from the norm in retail practice. You will have clinical freedom and the variation of getting out and about visiting patients, mainly within care home environments. With no evening or weekend working, you will be accompanied by an experienced Dispensers who will support you throughout …
Continue reading “Visioncall Resident Optometrist Role”
22 December 2021
NHS confirms that GOS will remain a national service when the Health and Care Bill becomes law General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) in England will remain a national demand-led service under a nationally agreed GOS contract and nationally negotiated fees and grants, with no local variation. This was confirmed by the Department of Health and Social …
Continue reading “GOS Statement”
22 December 2021
Please see following regarding a Primary Health and Wellbeing Project: Dear Colleagues It gives us the greatest pleasure to inform you that Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) Integrated Care System were successful in securing funds to run a Primary Care health and wellbeing project. Our bid was the result of a collaboration between colleagues …
Continue reading “Bucks, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West – Health and Wellbeing Events”
7 December 2021
Applications are open for the LOCSU leadership skills course. The course is a 20-credit postgraduate module, and part of WOPEC’s MSc programme at Cardiff University. Simone Mason, LOCSU’s Digital Learning Support Officer said: “This is a great time of year to think about your future development. Don’t let this opportunity to enhance your knowledge …
Continue reading “LOCSU Leadership Course Could Boost Your Career”
3 December 2021
Bridging the healthcare access gap for people with disabilities A NEW initiative to encourage more healthcare and/or non-clinical staff to take up sign language as an extra language and skill, is now available locally. The Signs4Life scheme is to help people to communicate and engage with vulnerable service users, patients, and colleagues, who may be hard …
Continue reading “Signs4Life – Community BSL Programme”
28 November 2021
With support from LOCSU, SeeAbility have secured funding from the Vision Foundation for a LOCSU learning disability eye care pathway co-ordinator role (18 month fixed term, 2.5 days/week 40k pro rata i.e. 20k p.a.) they will have the support of an expert by experience and our wider eye care team to work to influence commissioners …
Continue reading “SeeAbility – Eye Care Pathway Co-ordinator Vacancy”
26 November 2021
WOPEC and LOCSU are holding a free virtual peer discussion around LOCSU’s clinical pathways on Monday 13th December starting at 6.30pm. It is 90 minutes long and has 3 CET points. This event is provided for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians represented by LOCs across England. Virtual peer discussion comprising three clinical cases from primary eye …
Continue reading “LOCSU virtual peer discussion. LOCSU Clinical Pathways. Dec 2021”
24 November 2021
It is essential that eye care practitioners maintain the up to date skills and knowledge needed to practise safely and effectively throughout their career. From 1 January 2022, the GOC are moving from CET to CPD (Continuing Professional Development). The purpose of this change is to make it easier for optical professionals to undertake learning …
Continue reading “Continuing Professional Development (CPD) – A Guide for GOC Registrants”
22 November 2021
The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care has published its review of the General Optical Council’s performance in 2023-24.
12 March 2025
This year’s event will take place on Sunday 18 – Monday 19 May 2025 at Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
6 March 2025
for updates from Berkshire LOC