News

County Durham Sensory Support Team

Did you know Durham County Council have a sensory support team for people with vision (and hearing) impairment? Further information is available via the “Patients” section of the website.

9 November 2024

September Committee Meeting Update

We had a really thought provoking committee meeting last night (23rd September) with lots of discussion regarding changes that could be happening with referral processes in our area. We are here to be the voice of our members (that’s you if you are GOS performer/contractor in our area) and would sincerely welcome more input from …

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24 September 2024

Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) Service Update

Some updated points on the DES Service following our AGM: R0 patients will now be on 2 year recall with DES R2/R3/M1 cases found in practice to be referred to Diabetic Clinic at HES (not DES) DES will include OCT from  approx October 2024 Queries following an eye test of a diabetic patient (eg image/scan …

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13 June 2024

Notice of Durham LOC AGM

Notification of Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Durham LOC will be held on Wednesday 15th May 2024 at Ramside Hall Hotel (Durham) at 6.00pm. In addition to the AGM, we will be providing CPD via peer review. The Agenda for the AGM, Chair’s report, Treasurer’s report and registration details will follow …

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28 March 2024

Information on Glaucoma Referrals

We have been contacted by the ICB regarding missing information from referrals for suspected glaucoma.   Please make sure your referrals include relevant information, specifically:   1. If the patient has a family history of glaucoma, please record this on the referral letter. 2. If the patient has been referred previously querying glaucoma, please record …

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7 March 2024

Important Statement Regarding EeRS

Please see the following statement from Durham LOC regarding the proposed rollout of an Electronic Referral System (EeRS) in our area. We urge all Optometrists to read this statement in full before proceeding to sign up to EeRS. Thank you. Durham LOC statement on electronic referral system

28 February 2024

NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN): North East & North Cumbria (NENC) Opportunity

An exciting opportunity to help develop research opportunities in Primary Care Optometry across the Northeast and North Cumbria has become available. You’d be working as part of a team alongside the Yorkshire and Humber Optometry representative who is already in post. The LOCs also anticipate that your role will involve keeping the LOCs informed to …

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25 January 2024

Season’s Greetings

Durham LOC would like to wish all our members a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year. Thank you to all our local contractors and performers for all you do for Optometry in the North East. We will be enjoying the festive season with our families and friends, so please be patient …

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24 December 2023

Important Message Regarding Cataract Referrals in County Durham

The following message is sent on behalf of your regional LOCs (Durham LOC, NTWLOC, Tees LOC, North Cumbria LOC).   Following discussions with our Integrated Care Board (which is responsible for commissioned NHS services in our area), we are clarifying the position around cataract referrals.   ALL cataract referrals in our region must route via …

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11 September 2023

All Cataract Referrals are via GP

A reminder that all cataract referrals need to go via the GP. In Durham area all cataract referrals need to be seen in the Pre-Op Cataract Service which then sends the referral via Opera to the GP practice. If you do not provide this service, please sign up! Otherwise, you will have to refer your …

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26 August 2023