Book now: NOC nears

There is less than two months until the annual National Optical Conference (NOC) and local optical committees (LOC) are encouraged to book now in order to secure accommodation, which is limited.

The theme of this year’s conference, which will be held at Chesford Grange in Warwickshire on 14–15 November, is change.

The event will feature a range of workshops exploring topics such as LOC governance and the new GDPR requirements, Effective communications, LOC and PEC role skills, Pathway redesign and Workforce mobilisation. Delegates can attend two of the five workshops, which will run on 15 November.

During the event, delegates will also receive an update on the work to rationalise, consolidate and professionalise the Primary Eyecare Companies.

Every LOC receives at least one free delegate place but are encouraged by the Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOCSU) to send more than one delegate.

Discussing the content of the conference, chief operating officer LOCSU, Richard Whittington, highlighted: “Following a couple of years of serious thinking about health reform, we are beginning to get an outline understanding of how accountable care organisations will operate and a sense of how redesigned pathways will be delivered, contractually and operationally.

“This could have a significant impact on the formation of eye health services.”

Alan Tinger will officially step down as chair of the LOCSU during the annual National Optical Conference (NOC) in November.

A farewell gala dinner will be held for Mr Tinger, who has been chair of the organisation for 10 years, on 14 November.

LOCSU non-executive chairman, Mike Fegan, will be in attendance at the conference.

For more information on the programme visit the LOCSU website. Places should be booked via the AOP website.