Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 07 July 2023

10 July 2023

Hampshire Medicines Management Team Update

We (Medicines Management Team) need support from our local opticians to help us realise prescribing savings across Hampshire.

We have recently updated our dry eye guidance again to include cost effective switches that we are opting for. We are switching Hylo-Forte and HyloTears to the cost effective brands Eyeaze and ClinOptic. This will apply to the whole of Hampshire including the Isle of Wight.

Wherever possible, patients will be directed to purchase these drops, especially for mild to moderate dry eyes.

The latest guidance and resources are on our new ICS website – here

Hampshire LOC AGM update

This year’s AGM held on the 07 June 2023 at the Solent Hotel and Spa was well attended with 34 out of 45 registered delegates attending. It was a great opportunity for our members to meet up again and catch up on their news.

The peer review CPD also went down well with an overall feedback score of 91% and it was a great opportunity for members of the Committee to act as facilitators.

The Minutes of the AGM and associated reports can be found via the following links.

AGM Minutes – here
Chair’s Report – here
Treasurer’s Report – here
LOCSU Update – here
Primary Eyesore Service Update – here

Hampshire LOC Committee Officers Re-Elected

At the July LOC Committee meeting the following Officers of the Committee were re-elected.

Chair – Bryony Allen
Vice Chair – Rebecca Rushton
Treasurer – Denise Connor

Further information regarding the standing committee can be found – here

NHSE July Update on NHS GOS Contract – Feedback Required

The recent update from NHSE regarding changes to the NHS GOS contract made reference to electronic claims being a contractual requirement from January 2024 as set out below.

Mandating electronic claims – anticipated implementation date: 1 January 2024

PCSE (Primary Care Support England) introduced an electronic payment claims system in 2019 which is accessible via PCSE Online and several practice management systems (PMS). From 1 January 2024 it will be a contractual requirement that all GOS claims are submitted electronically via your practice 2 management system or PCSE Online.

Ongoing support via PSCE will remain in place in order that practices are supported in transition to electronic submission.

As far as Hampshire LOC is aware, there has been no consultation regarding this and has concerns that there may be some practices across Hampshire and Isle of Wight that are not in a position to submit claims electronically.

We would like to hear from you if this is a case and also any other concerns that contractors may have regarding the above statement.

Please reply to our Business Manager at the following email address isilk@hampshireloc.org.uk by Friday 21st July 2023. we will then collate the responses and forward to LOCSU to raise with PCSE and NHSE on our behalf.

Optegra CPD Events 11 July and 12 July 2023

Further information in relation to the 11July event at Hampshire Hospital can be found – here

Further information in relation to the 12 July event at Surrey Hospital can be found – here

CPD Event CHEC Basingstoke – 20 July 2023

“Wellbeing in the Workplace” CPD Event, worth 3 Points. For more details and how to register use the link – here

Frimley CPD Event – Ocular Emergencies – 13 July 2023

Frimley Park Hospital are holding a CPD event on Thursday 13 July 2023.

Further details and registration can be found – here

TUESDAY 1st AUGUST 2023
South East Regional LOCs – CPD Evening – 1 Interactive Point

Lorcan Butler – The Optical Engagement Manager will be presenting a CPD Educational event to South Eastern Local Optical Committees combined.
All Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians, Contact Lens Opticians and Pre-Reg Students are more than welcome.

This is a Save The Date Notification.

Registration Link will be sent out closer to the date

TITLE: Leadership in Optometry

Lorcan Butler is a Dispensing Optician & Optometrist who works for The Brain Tumour Charity. Lorcan has given this presentation in the past to numerous optical associations, Optical Conferences and other LOCS across England.

This presentation will be worth 1 CPD point, Interactive, GOC Core Domain: Leadership