National Optometric Conference

The NOC 2009 took place on 26th & 27th November in Harrogate.

LOCSU opened the conference with a Keynote Speech "Celebrating Success, The Professions United" from Georgina Gordon.   Georgina emphasised that the Support Unit was maximising the potential of LOCs and Optometry, and that it was crucial to build collaborative partnerships in relation to the NHS and that significant progress has and continues to be made.   Georgina's speech is available to view on the Optometry Today TV (OTTV) website:   http://www.optometrytoday.tv

Other LOCSU led sessions included the launch of a new accreditation and training package to accompany the GRR and OHT Pathway. The launch was very successful and well received by those at the conference. Over 120 training CDs to accompany the course were given out at the conference alone. The Welsh assembly government has already announced that it will be offering the LOCSU training and accreditation model, which was developed with the Wales Optometry Post Graduate Education Centre (WOPEC). The Welsh assembly government   announced that the training will be offered to all optometrists starting in May 2010 with accreditations in September 2010. The course will consist of four distance learning videos and lectures with MCQs (8 CET credits).

Sessions also included an update on progress with all the LOCSU Clinical Pathways and it was announced that 66 LOCs are now in discussions over Enhanced Services with their PCT which is a testament to how successful these pathways have become in a short space of time. As an example, Georgina presented a slide in relation to Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension Monitoring which showed that a significant number of LOCs were in negotiation with PCTS regarding the implementation of   these pathways alone.  

Sessions were also run by LOCSU on IT and a session was run specifically for LOC Chairs and Treasurers to talk about the finances of LOCSU and its income stream, which was in very good health. Although this session was booked for 5pm the previous session overran by 20 minutes and still the break out room was packed by well over 50 people. The atmosphere in the room was one of a real positive team discussion.

A Panel session entitled "Developments in Monitoring and Care of Glaucoma Patients" took place with David Wright, IGA; Cindy Tromans, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital; Chris Steele, Sunderland Eye Infirmary; and Geoff Roberson, AOP.

It was agreed that the presentations from this session would be available on our website and can therefore be downloaded to the right of this page.

The LOCSU Annual Report session was well attended and the Annual Report accepted unanimously by the conference (available to view or download on this website on the "LOC Support Strategy" page).

The Support Unit announced new partnerships with the Central Fund and Primary Health Net.

Primary Health Net provided a secure website strictly for LOC Members only, with valuable information and updates.  There was an extremely positive atmosphere throughout the two days and it was clear to all who attended that LOCSU had come of age.

LOC Training Days

The LOC Support Unit held two training session for LOCs in July and October.

These training sessions were organised in response to the many requests that the Unit received for training newly elected LOC officers in the wake of recent LOC AGMs and the adoption of the new LOC Model Constitution.   As well as providing an introduction to the role of LOCs for new officers, the training days  were designed to assist existing LOC officers and members. They focused on how to make LOCs more efficient and effective and how to engage, communicate and negotiate with Primary Care Trusts, Practice Based Commissioners and other health care professionals.   The training days also covered the pressure which PCTs and Hospital Trusts face, following the increase in referrals to the Hospital Eye Service as a result of the [new] NICE guidelines on chronic open angle glaucoma & ocular hypertension. This situation presented a great opportunity for LOCs to discuss and negotiate locally commissioned enhanced services.

LOCSU also recognised that LOCs are facing greater challenges as a result of the new GOS contracts that were introduced in August 2008 and the disparate attempts by PCTs to implement them.    

An LOC Induction Pack  was developed by the Unit, which could be developed by LOCs to include local information relevant to their areas.