Established by the NHS (Amendment) Act 1949, Local Optical Committees (LOCs) were formed to be the official representatives for all GOS contractors and practitioners within their area and to work with their local commissioners (ICBs) on matters relating to NHS optical services. A well-run LOC is a major asset to the local optical community, NHS and local authorities and the public alike.
Funded by a statutory levy on GOS sight tests in their localities, there are 73 LOCs across England. Find your local LOC and view their website here.
LOCs represent the interests and raise awareness of the roles of NHS optical contractors and performers within defined geographical areas.
Funded by a statutory levy on NHS GOS sight tests in their localities, LOCs meet regularly, including holding an annual AGM.
LOCs fulfill several important functions, including:
- Inform, advise and negotiate with local organisations including the local contract managers of General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) and local commissioners of extended primary eyecare services.
- Engage with Primary Care Support England (PCSE) on payment matters relating to the LOC and supporting local contractors and performers with payment issues.
- Facilitate and encourage local contractors and performers to identify opportunities to improve local eye care provision, presenting collective views for the betterment of local health care and outcomes.
- Disseminate information among local contractors and performers to help them to understand and comply with their duties.
- Convey the LOC views, and those of local contractors and performers, to the national representative bodies
- Contribute to the development of national policies
- Arrange and run events for contractors and performers for education and networking
- Liaise with other LOCs and LOCSU to support the LOC in developing and achieving their objectives
- Work with non-optical organisations including Local Representative Committees (LRCs), third sector, local authorities, specialist bodies (such as safeguarding and falls teams) and any other body and stakeholder with relevant remits
- Work with Local Medical Committees, Local Pharmaceutical Committees and Local Dentistry Committees to ensure the role of primary care is recognised in the wider healthcare sector.
- Obtain support, advice and training services from LOCSU and/or the national representative bodies and extend this benefit to the wider practice workforce in local areas.
LOCs were established by the NHS (Amendment) Act 1949 as the optical Local Representative Committee (LRC) whose primary care counterparts are Local Medical Committees, Local Pharmaceutical Committees and Local Dentistry Committees. Therefore, they are bodies created by statute and have an important and defined legislative role.
