Aims of the LOC

Mission Statement

To represent, support and communicate with local eye health professionals (Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians) to ensure, as gatekeepers of eye care, the effective delivery of Optometry Services across the whole of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear.

NTW LOC Priorities

Engaging with the wider Integrated Care Partnership
Promoting Optical Workforce to Wider Networks
Supporting Optical Workforce

Organisational Aims of the Local Optical Committee

To work with NHS Commissioners, Health and Wellbeing Boards and other providers to deliver integrated local eye care services focused on patients and outcomes at best value.
To advise Commissioners on the scope and efficiency of eye care service locally.
To assist in designing, piloting and commissioning local, community based services.
To work with Optical Practices and across the health system to improve eye health outcomes and reduce inequalities in the provision of care.
To work with partners to deliver eye care services that meet local need.
To work with Registered Eye Care Providers to recruit, retain and develop the current and future workforce.
To advise the NHS on matters affecting Optometrists providing General Ophthalmic Services.
To enable Registered Eye Care Providers in the area to formulate collective views and develop ideas for improvement and better ways of working.
To provide a range of educational events for local Registered Eye Care Providers, ensuring opportunities for peer support and developing relationships with secondary care ophthalmologists.

NTW LOC are part of a North East and North Cumbria LOC Forum which allows joint working and sharing of best practice. Collectively, they behest Primary Eyecare Services an Optical Confederation to commission services on behalf of all Optical Practices (Opticians). Primary Eyecare companies across England are committed to providing the highest standard of NHS care to patients, while passing the majority of the funds paid by the NENC ICS (Integrated Care System) for services to the sub-contracted optical practices.

This model allows ALL interested Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians within the commissioned service area to have an equal opportunity to become accredited and offer the services at their practices; helping maintain both local patient choice and a highly-skilled workforce across the whole region.

This work is supported by LOCSU (Local Optical Committee Support Unit).

The College of Optometry website page ‘Information for Commissioners’ contains useful guides covering the commissioning of various services.