10 July 2025
The Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOCSU) has appointed a team to support ongoing pilot programmes for the early detection of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in optometric settings in England.
The new CVD Case Finding Team will work closely with local optical committees (LOCs) and service providers engaged in the CVD Case Finding Pilot Programme.
Jennifer Shutt has been appointed LOC CVD project support and coordinator for two days a week, while Tony Wing and Stephanie Cairns have both become LOC CVD delivery champions one day per week.
The new team will offer support to service providers in the pilot and gather insights to help shape a national blueprint for future service delivery.
The team will also collaborate with the Southwest Health Innovation Team to enable effective information sharing across regions.
Shutt said: “LOCSU have appointed a CVD Case Finding Team who will be supporting the ongoing pilot programmes across England. This initiative is part of a nationally funded effort to enhance early detection of cardiovascular disease in optometric settings.
“The CVD Case Finding Pilot Programme is funded by NHS England, with LOCSU commissioned to support its implementation, drive engagement within the optical sector and help develop national guidance based on local experiences,” she added.
Zoe Richmond, LOCSU clinical director, added: "The development of a national blueprint for CVD case-finding in Primary Care Optometry fits well with the Government's new health plan and demonstrates how our practice teams can contribute to the NHS’s prevention-first model.”
The CVD Case Finding Team will host a bitesize webinar on 17 July at 7pm on cardiovascular disease and the role of optometry in case finding and prevention.
The team will provide an overview of the current pilot projects under the NHS England dental and optometry CVD initiative, and share insight from early implementation at pilot sites.
“Optometrists can play an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease”
OT heard from a practice involved in an NHS pilot providing blood pressure checks to patients
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to join the discussion. Log in