Cheshire LOC
South Cheshire Local Optical Committee represents all optometrists who practise in Central & East Cheshire PCT and NHS Western Cheshire (formerly Western Cheshire PCT)
The Committee works with the PCTs on all issues relating to NHS Optometric services in the county including GOS sight tests, GOS regulations and terms of service, Clinical Governance and Enhanced Services.
The Committee holds its AGM during March or April each year and all optometrists practising in either PCT are invited to attend. The Committee meets about 4 times a year. The minutes from the last AGM meeting can be downloaded by going to the documents section.
NEW GP LIST ADDED
For upto date GP list please click on either Enhanced Services Western Cheshire or Central and Eastern Cheshire on the left hand side. There you will be able to download an upto date GP list and get further information on local referral guidelines.
PETITION FOR COMPULSARY DRIVERS EYE TEST LAUNCHED
An e-petition to make a full eye examination a compulsory element of the UK driving test has been set up. Click here for further details.
Xalease is a device to assist the delivery of Xalatan drops to the eye for those who find squeezing the bottle difficult. It is supplied free of charge by Pfizer and they will supply them to you so that you can give them to patients if you wish.
Xalease can be ordered from the Medisis website at www.medisis.com
A register is being set up for locums so that practices can go onto the website and find out what locums are in their area and contact them directly. If you are a practice looking for a locum or a locum looking to add your details, then please email locumregister@gmail.com
We now receive regular briefs from LOCSU. These can be downloaded from the documents section of the website. Click here to view or download the latest hot brief.
The LOCSU newsletter - LOCSU News is also available and can be found on the LOCSU website: http://www.locsu.co.uk/
New versions of the GOC compliance notice have been uploaded - last updated NOVEMBER 2011.
Further information for both contractors and optometrists can be found at www.qualityinoptometry.co.uk/
The GOC are looking at changes in CET requirements with the most significant change likely to be compulsory Peer review sessions. Cheshire LOC aims to provide these sessions free of charge to all opticians working in the Cheshire area.
We are therefore compiling a list of optometrists who work in Western / Central and Eastern Cheshire. If you are an optometrist in the Cheshire area please add your details to our email database below.
Over the last year there have been many changes occurring in the commissioning of ophthalmic services and Cheshire LOC will be representing you in negotiations with the clinical commissioning groups. There will be times in the negotiation process where we will need relatively quick feedback from our local optometrists / contractors on a variety of matters.
Cheshire LOC is creating an email database of local performers and contractors. We would like local performers and contractors to provide their email address. Please email secretary@cheshireloc.org.uk
Please advise if you are an optometrist / contractor or both
Please advise if you are in Western Cheshire / Eastern Cheshire or both
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY SCREENING SERVICE
The Cheshire Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service is a single unified service across both Cheshire PCTs. Please click here for further information.
EQA On-line Test Sets
The Cheshire DRSS is taking part in the National EQA on-line test sets. All relevant documents are on this web page
Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT have just launched a revised protocol and forms for urgent referral of suspect wet AMD patients. Forms and information have been sent to all practices today. Copies of all forms and documentation are avaialable here
Western Cheshire recommend faxing their referral form to the Countess of Chester Hospital. For patients in the Western Cheshire area click here
Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT Glaucoma Referral Refinement service goes live on 1st January 2010. For further details and all the paperwork, click here
If you are looking for the files relating to the new forms for the C&ECPCT Cataract referral scheme, they have moved to the Enhanced Services Central and Eastern Cheshire page or can be downloaded directly from here:- Cataract Forms CECPCT Sept 09
ENHANCED SERVICES WESTERN CHESHIRE
NHS Western Cheshire currently runs a Cataract "Choice" referral scheme and a Glaucoma Referral refinement scheme. Practices wanting further details should contact the NHS Western Cheshire Optometric Adviser.
