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Northumberland, Tyne and Wear LOC Latest News

Reasonable Adjustment Campaign (North East and North Cumbria)

Under the Equality Act 2010, all disabled people have the right to reasonable adjustments when using public services, including healthcare. These adjustments remove barriers that disabled people would otherwise face in accessing these services. Making reasonable adjustments means ensuring disabled people have equal access to good quality healthcare Reasonable adjustments can be simple changes made …

25 June 2023

Freedom to Speak Up Guardian

The Northeast and North Cumbria Optometry Freedom to Speak Up Guardian is Julie Breen julie.breen2@nhs.net

26 April 2023

GOS Test Re-Call Dates (updated March 2023)

Recent NHS SBA CPD events take away messages; MoU and Voucher at a Glance recall periods are not a stipulation. Start with 24 month recall for all 16+ patients, then clinically justify whether a shorter recall period is needed. Record habitual va’s in all circumstances (with specs or with old rx in trial frame) Always …

12 March 2023

Keeping the Practice contact details upto date.

NTW LOC is aware that there has been a change in staff at a number of optometry practices over the past few years. If your Contractor or Practice Manager has changed please can you inform us so we have the correct contact details.  HERE Performers (optometrists) should update their LOC preferences within the personal section …

8 February 2023

Counselling to help people living with sight loss

If you have patients who are living with sight loss in Northumberland and North and South Tyneside, and either struggling to come to terms with this, they can be directed to free counseling. The same service can provide help with Anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, loss and grief, relationship issues, bullying, abuse, self-esteem, anger, adhd, autism. …

8 February 2023

Sunderland Eye Infirmary EED – Jan 2023

The LOC has been informed, since the December Newsletter was emailed out, of updated referral policy regarding access to EED. Please find this HERE  

15 January 2023

NEWSLETTER – End of 2022

Watch out for the NTW LOC newsletter that will be landing in inboxes over the next few days. Check your spam folders if you don’t receive it. It has very important information relevant to Contractors and all Performers (including out of area Locums), please make sure its PRINTED and kept in test rooms. We hope …

23 December 2022

Emergency/Urgent Referral Pathways – RVI & SEI

ANYONE WORKING WITHIN NTW LOC FOOTPRINT, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU AWARE OF THE HOSPITAL EYE SERVICES PREFERRED REFERRAL ROUTES IF YOU IDENTIFY CAUSE FOR CONCERN DURING A ROUTINE SIGHT TEST OR PRIVATE MECS APPOINTMENT. DETAILS CAN BE FOUND HERE HOWEVER AS THERE IS NO NHS COMMISSIONED SERVICES FOR URGENT OR EMERGENCY EYECARE IN PRIMARY CARE …

15 November 2022

NENC staff wellbeing hub

All practices and their staff have access to the NENC well-being hub. Please let your staff know! https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/staff-wellbeing-hub/

23 October 2022

Violence, Abuse, and Harassment

The 2021 NHS Staff Survey for England found that 27.5% of NHS Staff experienced harassment, bullying, or abuse from patients, service users, their relatives or other members of the public in the last 12 months. We know that you go to work each day to do the very best for our patients, their families, and the community. Violence, abuse, …

21 October 2022

LOCSU Latest News

LOCSU Levy Reduction Commencing 1 April 2025

LOCSU is delighted to announce the reduction of the LOCSU levy from 0.5% to 0.4%.

31 March 2025

OFNC Statement: GOS Voucher Values in England to be Frozen for 2025/26

Each year the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) independently sets optical voucher values, dental charges and prescription charges for the coming year.

27 March 2025

OFNC Statement: Delay in GOS Fees Announcement and Early Warning of Inflation Only Increases

GOS contractors will have been expecting an announcement about GOS fees and grants in 2025/26 with the start of new financial year only 13 days away.

20 March 2025

GOC Meets All PSA Standards of Good Regulation for Third Year

The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care has published its review of the General Optical Council’s performance in 2023-24.

12 March 2025

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