Ashton Leigh and Wigan LOC linked to PCT of same name represents all optometrists who practice in  AL&W Primary Care Trust.

The Committee works with the PCTs on all issues relating to NHS Optometric services in the area including GOS sight tests, GOS regulations and terms of service,   and shared care.

We have an AGM every April and meet  at least  4 other  times a year.   We also organise 2 peer review group meetings per year often with an expert leader.  

As a commitee we are dedicated to promoting Optometrists skills and wish to see many optometrists in our area performing enhanced services for the benefit of the public in Wigan Metro and beyond.

More Information about the LOC

The purpose of the LOC may be best explained by reference to the constitution. The following are listed as objectives of the LOC:

1.1: To advise the Primary Care Trust on matters affecting optometrists undertaking general ophthalmic services in the area.

1.2: To enable optometrists undertaking general opthalmic services in the area to formulate collective views on the administration of the  services and in particular to make suggestions for the improvement and to transmit them to the Primary Care Trust.

1.3: To disseminate information about general ophthslmic services among optometrists in the area and to assist individual optometrists to understand and comply with their terms of service.

1.4: To consider any complaintmadse to them  by any optometrist against any other optometrist practising in the area for which the committee is constituted involving any question of the efficiency of general ophthalmic services.

1.5: To advise the Primary Care Trust on matters affecting optometrists in relation to the hospital eye services, the scope and efficiency of those services outside general ophthalmic service such as screening for diabetic retinopathy or involvement in the cataract pathway.

1.6: To advise the Primary Care Trust on optometric services outside general ophthalmic services such as involvement in the cataract pathway.

1.7: To carry out such other advisory or consultived functions as may be incidental to or assist on the attainment of the above objectives, including liaison with Community Health Councils within the area.