Devon Local Optical Committee

Devon Local Optical Committee (LOC) is the organisation representing primary care Eye Care Professionals/Optical professionals (i.e. optometrists, opticians, ophthalmic medical practitioners) in Devon.

The LOC is a statutory National Health Service (NHS) body which represents the providers and performers of NHS General Ophthalmic Services (GOS),as well as other local optometric services, in the area.

Our function is to liaise with NHS England, local hospital eye departments and their teams, the Devon Integrated Care System, GP’s and patient representative bodies on matters relating to eye care.

We also organise Continuing Professional Development (CPD , accreditation evenings and peer discussion events) for optical professionals.

Purpose of the LOC:

To work with Devon Opticians and Optometrists ( Eye Care Professionals) and across the wider health system to improve eye health outcomes and reduce inequalities in the provision of eyecare.
To work with partners to design and deliver eye care services which meet local needs.
To work with partners to develop community orientated eye care services which are delivered in local High Street Opticians practices.
To advise the NHS on matters affecting Eye Care Professionals providing General Ophthalmic Services and other services within the South West area.
To enable and facilitate Registered Eye Care Professionals in the area to formulate collective views and develop ideas for improvement and better ways of working.
To advise Commissioners on the scope and efficiency of eye care service locally and offer advice and guidance on how improvements can be made.
To support and develop relationships with eye care colleagues in secondary care (hospitals) for the benefit of patients.
Disseminating information to the profession
Developing clinical eyecare pathways with neighbouring LOCs

If you have any questions about the LOC please contact either :

Chair: Luisa Simo chair@devonloc.co.uk

Devon LOC admin on admin@devonloc.co.uk.

Primary Eyecare Devon (PED)

Local Optical Committee’s are statutory bodies similar to GP federations and cannot enter into contracts to provide local eyecare services.

Therefore all the LOCs across England have what are termed “provider companies”- Primary Eyecare Devon is the local provider company in our area.

These provider companies are separate from the LOCs however do work closely with them and are tasked with delivering local eyecare services.

In Devon PED looks after services delivering cataract follow up appointments, glaucoma monitoring services, and in the Plymouth area a Minor Eye Conditions Service. Further information can be obtained from www.pedevon.co.uk