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Durham LOC Latest News

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 …

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 …

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 …

26 August 2023

Understanding Your LOC

Did you know that LOCSU have a course available on their website entitled “A Beginner’s Guide to LOC’s”? This course is available to all eye care practitioners and runs through the basics of what an LOC is, and what work in the LOC involves. It’s available via the members area of the LOCSU website. It’s …

20 July 2023

Pre-Cataract Assessment Provider Choice

Please can all Optoms referring a patient for cataract surgery via Opera remember to type in the provider the patient wishes to be referred to in the comments box. This is essential as the as all the referrals go via the GP and need to be processed correctly to avoid an incorrect provider being chosen. …

4 July 2023

Diabetic Eye Screening Programme

If you or your patient has missed their diabetic retinal screening (and wants to reschedule their appointment) or wishes to change venue, please can the patient contact the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme directly (ie do not contact the GP to rearrange screening appointments).   Please see attached contact details below.  

29 June 2023

Are you interested in delivering the Learning Disabilities Pathway?

Primary Eyecare are actively looking for more optoms in our area to deliver their learning disabilities pathway. They would like to invite anyone eligible who is interested to attend a virtual online event (CPD accredited) taking place at 7pm to 8pm on Thursday 22 June to coincide with National Learning Disabilities Week (20 to 25 …

21 June 2023

Do you use the ECLO Services?

We have added up to date information under both the “Professionals” and “Patients” sections with contact details and a brief description of services for our local ECLOs. This service can be used for patients newly diagnosed with sight loss, but also may benefit patients who have been living with sight loss for a while. The …

18 May 2023

AGM Booking Link

Please see your emails and our socials for a link to book a place at our AGM a week tomorrow, Wednesday 24th May. We are looking forward to seeing you all.

16 May 2023

Foreign Body Removal Course

Are you keen to expand your clinical skills? Please see below a booking link for two Foreign Body Removal courses in May 2023 which are being funded by redirected funding from HEE for WOPEC courses. In our area there is a course in Darlington on 10th May. https://forms.gle/hPxHtmxFiRfoNbJt9 The places are available for Optometrists who …

14 April 2023

LOCSU Latest News

OFNC Responds to the Government’s Second Phase of the Spending Review

OFNC calls for an additional £350m of funding for NHS primary eye care.

19 February 2025

OFNC Join the Primary Care Professions in Co-Hosting Parliamentary Event

OFNC met with MPs at the Future of Primary Care event held on 28 January.

4 February 2025

NOC25: Save the Date

This spring, the National Optical Conference (NOC) is back and will take place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Sunday 18 and Monday 19 May 2025.

3 February 2025

New UK Eye Care Data Hub Predicts Higher Prevalence of Eye Disease and Eye Care Workforce

Eye disease is a major contributor to national health service backlogs, and the number of cases is set to significantly increase with an ageing population.

27 January 2025

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Find out about upcoming events

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