About the LOC

Essex LOC is a statutory body funded by Ophthalmic Contractors in the Essex area and acts on behalf of the Contractors, Performers, and others registered with the GOC  to:

  • Represent practitioner’s interests and concerns: The LOC advocate for optometry’s role in primary care and address any challenges faced by local practitioners.
  • Shape the future of eyecare: The LOC actively actively works with commissioners to produce local eye care pathways, advising on service development and initiatives that improve patient access to quality eye care.
  • Provide practical support: The LOC offers valuable resources and guidance for individual practices. We offer advice on regulations and NHS contracts, helping you focus on delivering the best care to your patients.
  • Connect with colleagues: The LOC organises regular meetings and networking events, creating a platform for you to share knowledge and collaborate with peers.

Membership of the Committee is  at least 25% Contractors and at least 25% Performers plus the Committee can co-opt from outside this group, eg Dispensing Opticians, to give a diverse balance.

Curious about what’s happening in community eye care in Essex? All optometrists, dispensing opticians, and pre-reg students are invited to attend our Local Optical Committee (LOC) meetings as observers. It’s an excellent way to learn about local services, raise a topic of interest, or simply connect with your peers. We’d love to have you as our guest! Please email enquiries@essex-loc.org if you’re interested in joining us.

Objectives of Essex LOC are to:

  • Promote the profession to all stakeholders in the county
  • Promote Enhanced Services to all parts of the county
  • Communicate with Commissioners of Health Services
  • Inform the profession about relevant changes in the Health Service
  • Facilitate training for Enhanced Services
  • Facilitate contract compliance by contractors and performers
  • Be the first point of contact for practitioners seeking help with disputes and complaints via NHS.
  • Facilitate Peer Reviews, CPD events, workshops and other statutory training requirements for GOC and NHS

Essex LOC aims to promote Enhanced Services in certain clinical fields:

  1. Glaucoma Referral Refinement
  2. Post Cataract Services
  3. Community shared care Glaucoma services
  4. Minor Eye Conditions (eg Red Eye)
  5. Certain visual conditions affecting Children
  6. LVA provision

Optometrists’ core skills are vastly under-used in a GOS sight test, and Essex LOC believes that tapping into this resource in the Community will bring benefits to all stakeholders: Commissioners saving money; Hospitals freeing up acute appointments and reducing waiting times; patients getting seen in the Community more conveniently with greater accessibility; practitioners getting more involved with treatment of their patients. For more details please see “Enhanced Services” page in Website.

LOC Documents
Abbreviations – a useful list of the numerous acronyms & abbreviations used