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Berkshire LOC Latest News

REGO Update

Please find below an update regarding the REGO platform: The implementation of the urgent referral button is still pending. Please check your dashboard regularly to ensure that any bounced back referrals are actioned. Please get in touch should you have any questions or require further clarification.

19 April 2024

LOCSU and LOC Levy Rate

Dear Berkshire contractors and performers, I am writing to inform you of the decision made by the LOC to increase the levy rate from the current 0.5% to 0.8%. This decision follows careful consideration of our financial situation and the evolving needs of our committee. The decision to increase the levy rate is based on …

19 April 2024

SpaMedica Referrals

Due to changes in the pathway of cataract referrals in the NHS Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire ICB (BOB), SpaMedica are only accepting cataract referrals from those practices that have the Rego platform, by the Rego platform. When the Rego platform is available in a practice, we are no longer accepting cataract referrals sent directly from …

19 April 2024

New general ophthalmic services fees

New general ophthalmic services fees for 2024/25 From 1 April 2024, there is new guidance setting out fees for general ophthalmic services, including: ​NHS sight test fee and NHS domiciliary fees NHS optical voucher values continuing education and training payment for 2023, payable in 2024 grant payable to supervisors of pre-registration trainees You can read the guidance …

3 April 2024

CPD Webinar: The Evolution of Glaucoma Filtering Services in Primary Care

CPD Webinar The Evolution of Glaucoma Filtering Services in Primary Care REGISTER HERE Dear Colleague, The Professional Development Team at Primary Eyecare Services are delighted to present our inaugural CPD webinar: The Evolution of Glaucoma Filtering Services in Primary Care (in England) Monday 4th March at 7:00pm via Microsoft Teams This event is aimed at …

25 February 2024

RNIB Low Vision Centre CPD Event

Dear LOC colleague The RNIB Low Vision Centre is pleased to inform you of a CPD event for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians on: Wednesday 20th March 2024 6pm to 8.30pm at: Royal National Institute of Blind People Grimaldi Building 154a Pentonville Road London N1 9JE This event will include 3 interactive CPD points (applied for), …

13 February 2024

Is everyone in your practice learning disability and autism aware?

  The Health and Social Care Act 2022 has made it a requirement of all CQC regulated health and care providers that all their staff – clinical and administrative – receive mandatory learning disability and autism awareness training by people with lived experience. Health Education England has developed the Oliver McGowan mandatory learning disability and …

13 February 2024

Berkshire LOC CPD Event – 5th of March

Berkshire LOC CPD Evening Join us for an exciting evening of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) at the Berkshire LOC CPD Evening. This in-person event will take place on Tue March 5th 2024, 5:30 – 9:00pm at the Wokingham Cricket Club. Our event aims to provide a relaxed and informal setting for eye care professionals to …

3 February 2024

REGO – returned referrals update

Dear Colleagues, As you are now aware BOB ICB area has transitioned to using REGO as its chosen referral platform for Optometrist to make referrals directly to the patients’ hospital of choice. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your hard work in supporting the transition across to this new platform. One …

2 February 2024

The Eyes Have It

The Eyes Have It is a partnership of Macular Society, Fight for Sight / Vision Foundation, RNIB, Association of Optometrists, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and Roche Products Ltd. Roche has funded the activities of the partnership. The partnership works collaboratively across the eye care sector to advocate for and champion improvements to patient care …

15 January 2024

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