The leading representative membership organisation for Optometrists in the UK supporting 82% of practising optometrists.

A free to access NHS service that was set up to deal with urgent eye problems using local optometry practices. It was designed so that sudden onset conditions such as red eye, flashes and floaters etc could be seen quickly and locally - often using video calls.

Eye Care Liaison Officers are available in Trusts across the region with an offer of practical and emotional support for patients through times of change and transition. They provide support to access early interventions, maximising potential to reduce long term care needs whilst addressing the issues of emotional wellbeing and quality of life throughout the Eye Care Journey.

The EeRS system will link primary eyecare with the hospital ophthalmology and GP systems helping to reduce unnecessary referrals to hospitals and to make better use of the skills, equipment and facilities available in optical practices.

This is cross platform software that works on a web app or on native apps for iOS and Android. It is integrated with the Health and Social Care Network allowing referrals to be made automatically by the clinician, using e-RS, EYEV e-refer, or by secure email accredited to the secure email standard.

A statutory NHS organisation which is responsible for developing a plan for meeting the health needs of the population, managing the NHS budget and arranging for the provision of health services in a geographical area. They were established in July 2022 taking over the former role of CCG's and include members from NHS trusts/foundation trusts, local authorities and general practice. They are accountable to NHS England

This is a statutory committee jointly formed between the NHS integrated care board (ICB) and all upper-tier local authorities that fall within the ICS area. They bring together a broad set of system partners such as local government, the voluntary sector, community, social enterprise sector and NHS organisations. Their purpose is to develop a health and care strategy to meet the health and wellbeing needs of the population in the ICS area with a membership that is local.

Integrated care systems (ICSs) are partnerships of organisations that come together to plan and deliver joined up health and care services, and to improve the lives of people who live and work in their area. Following several years of locally led development, recommendations of NHS England and passage of the Health and Care Act (2022), 42 ICSs were established across England on a statutory basis on 1 July 2022. Each ICS is made of an ICB and an ICP - a dual structure where they are responsible for both the budget, performance, and the wider system.

Primary Care Networks are a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan, with general practices being a part of a network, typically covering 30,000-50,000 patients. The networks will provide the structure and funding for services to be developed locally, in response to the needs of the patients they serve. Community pharmacy teams will be fully involved in the work of their PCN and this is being encouraged via the Pharmacy Quality Scheme. The networks will involve an expanded neighbourhood team including clinical pharmacists, district nurses, community geriatricians, dementia workers and Allied Health Professionals such as physiotherapists and podiatrists/chiropodists, joined by social care and the voluntary sector’.

PECs (also known as LOC Companies) were formed to act as the contracting vehicle between LOCs and NHS Commissioners to allow optical practices to provide eye health services locally. LOCSU works with Primary Eyecare Services in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, Arden, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Primary Eyecare, Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich, East London & City, Kent & Medway, Wirral, North Yorkshire & Humber, Cambridgeshire, and Devon

The NHS have published four Standard Operating Procedures for general practice, primary dental care settings, community pharmacy and optical practice.They are practical guidance to support primary care teams in managing contact with, and presentations of, patients who suspect they may have COVID-19.

Introduced in 2016, these bodies cover populations of 1-3 million people. They bring together NHS providers, commissioners, local authorities and other partners to plan services based on the long-term needs of the local populations. ICSs are evolving from STPs in most areas.