Welcome to Kingston, Richmond & Twickenham Local Optical Committee (LOC) website

We hope you find this helpful and informative. Please explore the rest of our site by clicking on the links. Where a password is required for professional confidentiality, please contact LOC office. Feedback is always welcome. If you have queries about any particular issue, or if there is a topic that you feel the LOC should discuss at its next meeting please contact LOC office.

For previous bulletins, please contact us

NHS Primary Care Contracting (PCC) exists to support the implementation of national policy and the development of best practice in commissioning for primary care. They support Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) online, via local and national events and through a network of expert advisors.

The NHS Choices system for optics was upgraded from September 2011. Please see information on how you can edit your practice profile in GUIDANCE section and detailed information in LOCSU section.

Kingston Health Passport (KHP)

This is a locally created, owned and shared Health Record Project by NHS Kingston that is currently being piloted in the New Malden area and has had a positive response so far from contractors. More information in Guidance section

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) states on their website:

“The Data Protection Act 1998 requires every data controller who is processing personal information in an automated form to notify, unless they are exempt. Failure to notify is a criminal offence. Register entries have to be renewed annually. If you are required to notify but don’t renew your registration, you are committing a criminal offence.”

Essentially ALL organisations that process data – which dental, pharmacies, optical practices etc do - must be registered with the ICO. It is an annual process which costs £35, and which is a legal requirement.

The organisations/practice must complete a notification ASAP, and then annually keep that notification up to date? It is actually a simple and straightforward process. Here’s the link to the relevant part of the ICO website

Up and Coming Events

Increase of NHS Voucher Values from 1st April 2012

More detail in Guidance section

NHS Richmond IOP Scheme
commenced 1 March 2011.

All relevant information can be accessed in Richmond IOP section

KEN IOP Scheme
commenced 24 January 2011

KEN IOP ! ALERT !

Revised referral form in KEN IOP section

Ashford & St Peters NHS Trust would like to invite any pre reg optometrists to attend their Orthoptic department to increase their knowledge of Orthoptics
Please contact: aqsa.syed@nhs.net

Click Here for the Events Calendar

Click Here to register your interest for an event

Password Protected Areas

Members' Area

Agenda and Minutes, etc and LOC Contact List

Guidance

Information and policies about a whole range of topics which you may find useful in practice

LOCSU

Local Optical Committee Support Unit Guidance