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Northumberland, Tyne and Wear LOC Latest News

Making Accurate Claims 2022 (GOS)

Available from the AOP in conjunction with ABDO https://www.aop.org.uk/advice-and-support/regulation/england/making-accurate-claims Also Vouchers values can be found Voucher values: England, Scotland and Wales

13 May 2022

Applying, varying or terminating GOS contracts in NTW

Practices wishing to apply, vary, or terminate their GOS contract in the NTW area are requested to follow the process outlined in this NEY Briefing document (NTW membership required to view).

9 May 2022

EeRS Procurement in NE&Y

This procurement has been awarded to EMMS. In the NE&Y this has been procured for referrals into secondary care from GOS and Self-funded Sight Tests only (not for Commissioned Services).  NTW LOC have been made aware that the roll out of this proof of concept project will start in the Yorkshire region. We will keep …

10 November 2021

Update Wet ARMD fast track forms 28.4.21

These are now available to download from the remarks section of the website. NB the forms for both SEI and RVI have been updated. Completed forms should be emailed via NHSemail to the relevant HES.

1 May 2021

Primary Care Optical Practice is a hugely undervalued aspect of eye health.

Primary Care Optical Practices have the skill set, workforce, clinical capability, equipment and, most importantly, the willingness to improve the eye health opportunity and eye health journey of our local communities. However, it needs to be recognised that Primary Care Optical Practices can no longer be expected to provide services under goodwill or through the …

4 March 2021

Requests for diagnostic testing

 We have been notified of practitioners being requested to perform IOP checks and/or visual fields on Glaucoma/OHT patients who are under the care and review of the HES, but have had their appointments delayed due to the global pandemic. We have also been alerted to requests of imaging for these patients.  These requests sit outside …

4 March 2021

All urgent and emergency cases should be directed to EED

NTWLOC continue to work with NuTH to lobby for the commissioning of CUES and Glaucoma services across the North ICP area. The progress of this has been painfully slow with financial challenges cited as the reason for lack of progress. We remain hopeful and continue to explain the limitations of GOS and the need for an …

4 March 2021

Care Navigation

Optical Professionals now have access to Healthpathways Care navigation site for Health professionals for South Tyneside patients. Login details in the members-only section of this site. Sight loss support contacts are also available within the care navigation section of our website.

22 July 2020

For the latest local and national information visit our FaceBook page and follow us on Twitter.

For the latest local and national information visit our FaceBook page and follow us on Twitter. If you would like regular emails from us please contact our Secretary.

1 May 2020

LOCSU Latest News

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

LOCSU Is Excited To Announce That Registration for the National Optical Conference 2025 (NOC25) Is Now Live!

This year’s event will take place on Sunday 18 – Monday 19 May 2025 at Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

6 March 2025

Follow the committee on Facebook and 𝕏 for news on meetings, events and CPD