Five insights from the National Optical Conference

Five insights from the National Optical Conference

Local optical committee members converged on Bedfordshire. For a discussion of all things optics. Local Optical Committee (LOC) members gathered for the annual National Optical Conference. Hosted at Wyboston Lakes and Resort in Bedfordshire this week (13-14 November).

Alongside presentations from optical and NHS leaders, a series of workshops delved into topics like artificial intelligence. As well as health inequalities and navigating challenging conversations. Regional workshops provided a forum for LOC members to voice their views on the challenges and opportunities facing their area.

Below OT presents a selection of topics covered during the event.

1 LOCSU is developing a standard service specification for minor and urgent eye care

In her opening address, Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOCSU) clinical director, Zoe Richmond, announced that LOCSU has been asked by the Department of Health and Social Care to develop a standard service specification for minor and urgent eye care.

Working alongside the Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning (CCEHC), the specification will build on the COVID-19 Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) and Minor Eye Conditions Services that are already operating within England.

“The objective is to improve consistency and reduce the unwarranted variation that we currently have across England,” she said. Richmond added that the service would reduce pressure on the hospital eye service, support general practice and be centred around the patient.

“Although we are tasked with delivering a national service specification, this will involve local commissioning,” she said. LOCSU and the CCEHC have been tasked with delivering a draft of the service specification by Christmas. “That sounds ambitious, but we are not starting from scratch. We have done this before,” Richmond said.