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Berkshire LOC Latest News

Locums and non-NHS practices to register for Covid-19 vaccination

15 January 2021 Locums and non-NHS practices to register for Covid-19 vaccination All optical practice staff are a priority group for Covid-19 vaccination. LOCs are working across England to facilitating local processes to ensure staff employed in GOS practices are invited for their vaccine, this work is moving ahead rapidly and we would like to …

15 January 2021

RBHT – Post Cataract Scheme update

Further to the information sent out at the end of 2020, we have been advised that the go live date for the post cataract scheme at The Royal Berkshire Hospital will be confirmed soon. If you have not yet received your onboarding invitation to Opera, practices can start their Opera registration using this link We …

14 January 2021

eGOS update – Not yet moved to online GOS claims?

    Getting online is simple, to help you get started and to support you through the transition we have designed a number of resources for you. To access these resources or to find out what other contractors are saying about the online GOS claims service read more at the PCSE website here. To find out more about online GOS claims – book …

14 January 2021

BERKSHIRE EAST – Information required COVID-19 Vaccination

Please see attached form for completion by all optical staff in Berkshire East to be added to the COVID-19 vaccination list. Please complete this form by midnight on Tuesday 19th January.  Please use this link or the QR code below to register.   For Berkshire West optical staff, please be advised we are still waiting for …

14 January 2021

OFNC Update – Impact of new lockdown on practices in England

  Following the introduction of a new national lockdown in England this week, the OFNC has continued its discussions with NHS England on potential additional support for optical practices affected by the new restrictions. Under the new rules optical practices are able to remain open, prioritising essential and urgent care and also offering routine care …

8 January 2021

Covid Vaccination Update

LOCSU NEWS RELEASE 08 January 2021 Vaccination update Many of you have been in touch to ask about the Covid-19 vaccination programme. All UK representative bodies are working together and will keep the sector up to date with developments. At this stage, it is important to note the following: All optical practice staff are a …

8 January 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

This covers Berks, Bucks and Oxfordshire, from Bucks CCG.     Further to your recent email regarding Covid vaccination, I have had confirmation from the Vaccine Programme team that optoms have not been forgotten and are definitely in priority group 2.   At present, in line with national guidance, the Priority 1 cohorts – care home …

7 January 2021

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all opticians in Berkshire a Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2021!

25 December 2020

PCSE online/eGOS claims system now live for new users

PCSE has announced that their onboarding process for online GOS claims has reopened. Any contractors who have not yet started to submit GOS claims online should read on and take action. Users will now benefit from a number of service improvements which have been implemented over the past two months that have enhanced system performance. …

18 December 2020

OFNC Update: NHS England agrees to cancel GOS Grant deductions to offset contractors’ PPE costs

    As explained in previous OFNC updates, OFNC has agreed with NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) that NHS-funded PPE would be provided to all GOS contractors, and OFNC has continued to work with NHS England on a pragmatic solution to reimburse practices for PPE costs they incurred before …

18 December 2020

LOCSU Latest News

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

GOC Meets All PSA Standards of Good Regulation for Third Year

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

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