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Berkshire LOC Latest News

Contractors and Performers – Record Keeping Assessment Matrix for PPV Audit

Please see attached the NHSE South East record keeping assessment matrix for patient clinical record audits. The purpose of this document is that clinical advisers have a set standard when reviewing records. If you are a contractor please can you share with any locum performers who work in your practice. Record keeping assessment matrix  

10 April 2021

Medisoft Portal

If you are still waiting to receive your Medisoft Portal log in details, please be advised that this has been delayed because of IT issues, and you should now receive your e-mail by Tuesday 13/Wednesday 14 April. If you have not received yours by then, Optometrists can ring the Medisoft support desk on 0113 347 2020 …

9 April 2021

OFNC – Change of Chair

NEW OFNC CHAIR CONFIRMS COURSE FOR THE COMING YEAR 7 April 2021 The incoming Chair of the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee, Gordon Ilett, has thanked outgoing Chair Paul Carroll for the leadership he has provided throughout the COVID-19 crisis. He confirmed that the OFNC’s top priorities for the coming year would continue to be supporting …

7 April 2021

Optometrists – Request for Help

Please see request for help from Robert Longhurst: I used to work in the eye casualty at RBH and thought it would be a good idea to do a research project into eye casualty referrals as part of my ophthalmic doctorate. I’m trying to reach out to as many optometrists as possible, especially in Berkshire …

6 April 2021

COVID-19 Exemption for Patient Signatures Extended

The DHSC has confirmed today that the temporary measure whereby NHS GOS contractors state ‘COVID-19’ instead of requiring patient signatures on forms has now been extended until 30 June 2021. This measure was originally implemented as a COVID infection prevention control measure by removing the need for patients to handle pens in optical practices – …

29 March 2021

Opera deadline – Monday 29th March

Dear colleague, Thank you if you managed to attend the launch webinar for the Royal Berkshire Hospital FT Cataract Post-Op Service. If you weren’t able to make it, you can access the slides here. The deadline for submissions is Monday the 29th March, after this date the next opportunity to onboard to Opera is likely to …

26 March 2021

Department of Health and Social Care confirms first sight test fee increase since 2015

Please read attached statement from the OFNC:     DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE CONFIRMS FIRST GOS SIGHT TEST FEE INCREASE SINCE 2015   The Department of Health and Social Care has said it will increase GOS sight test fees by 1.9% from April 2021. The GOS CET allowances and pre-registration supervision grants will …

25 March 2021

URGENT! – Medisoft Portal Registration

Thank you to those of you that joined the webinar yesterday for details of the Post Cataract Service launching on the 29th March. If you missed the form at the end of the presentation, or weren’t able to make it, please can you complete the attached URGENTLY as this information needs to be returned to …

18 March 2021

Opera – 1 week to go to register your practice for the 1st list…

Opera – 1 week to go to register your practice for the service. Patients who are discharged after surgery will choose the community opticians from this list. You’ve got to be on it to be in it… Get On Board! The list of participating practices will be updated periodically. Dear colleagues,   We are pleased …

14 March 2021

Berkshire West Practices – Minor Conditions Suitable For Self-Care

Berkshire West CCG have asked us to make you aware of the following: GPs have been advised not to prescribe for self-limiting conditions. This means a condition which does not need treatment as it will get better on its own, or conditions for which self-care is appropriate, i.e. the person suffering does not normally need …

12 March 2021

LOCSU Latest News

Sign Up to NOC25 Now – Registration Closes on Friday 25 April

Registration for the National Optical Conference 2025 (NOC25) is due to close at midday on Friday 25 April 2025 – make sure to register now to avoid missing out!

17 April 2025

LOCSU Levy Reduction Commencing 1 April 2025

LOCSU is delighted to announce the reduction of the LOCSU levy from 0.5% to 0.4%.

31 March 2025

OFNC Statement: GOS Voucher Values in England to be Frozen for 2025/26

Each year the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) independently sets optical voucher values, dental charges and prescription charges for the coming year.

27 March 2025

OFNC Statement: Delay in GOS Fees Announcement and Early Warning of Inflation Only Increases

GOS contractors will have been expecting an announcement about GOS fees and grants in 2025/26 with the start of new financial year only 13 days away.

20 March 2025

Find out about upcoming events

Find out about upcoming events