Practice Documents & References

Practice Documents
Abbreviations – a list of commonly used abbreviations in the LOC/commissioning/optometry world
DBS application information sheet – contact the LOC Chairperson regarding this.
Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Information
Clinical Waste Information
Hand cleaning technique
Falls Leaflet
School screening poster
Hospital DNA poster 2025
Patient information leaflet – Hydroxychloroquine
Practice Clinical Referral lead
Diabetic Eye Screening information invite – 1767 IH – DESP webinar email invitation

Referral Forms
LOC Ophthalmology referral form. This can be edited in a pdf program.

A PDF version of the latest GOS18 is available below. Simply save the file and open it with Acrobat Reader. If you wish to keep a copy of each referral you will need to save it with a different name each time.

This first version is for completion and then printing for signature:
GOS18 Electronic-Final
The second version allows for digitally signing the referral. There are also instructions explaining digital signatures:
GOS18 Electronic with digital signature -Final
GOS 18 signature guidance

Supporting People Affected by Homelessness
The following documentation may be useful if you look after people who are homeless who request sight testing:

Smoking Cessation
Ask – Do you smoke?  ​And record their smoking status if you have the facility
Advise – Tell the patient they are more likely to quit with support and medication. Or if they prefer, there are online resources where they can get advice and tips to quit ​
Act – Make a direct referral through the ‘contact’ page of https://www.essexwellbeingservice.co.uk, their GP’s stop smoking service or pharmacy. Tell them about the self-help online resource www.todayistheday.co.uk and www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking
Download posters here
Very-Brief-Advice-on-Smoking

Sight Loss
Some helpful advice for practice staff to help support someone with sight loss – Supporting someone with sight loss
A good document around sight loss – it lists all sight loss charities as well as having a good section at the front for practices to complete with their local details.

Support Services
Southend, Essex and Thurrock Child and Adolescents Mental Health Service (SET CAMHS) – provides advice and support to
children, young people and families who are in need of support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties.

Translation Services
Interpreting and translation services are available for you to access on behalf of your patients to assist with NHS appointments and are funded by the ICBs.

In SNEE and MSE ICBs, the services are provided by:

  • Language Empire for both spoken and non-spoken languages

All bookings need to be requested via the online booking portal Login to LE LSM Client Portal (language-empire.net) which practices should all have login details for.  If you require confirmation of your login please e-mail bookings@empire-groupuk.com including the full practice name and address.

In HWE ICB, the services are provided by:

  • Spoken providers – Absolute Interpreting and Translation Ltd
  • Non-spoken providers –  Sign Solutions.

Diabetic Services
From 1st April 2024 Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) became the provider for the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) across Hertfordshire and West Essex (HWE).  Details of the screening locations for the new programme can be found here please share with patients.