Business case made for LOC schemes

Local optical committees have been shown how to capitalise on looming NHS changes at the 2012 National Optometric Conference.

Practitioners were urged to form strong links with clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and assess eye health needs at the local level.

Speakers at the event, held by LOCSU, included commissioners, optometrists, optical leads and NHS representatives. RNIB eye health development adviser Sonal Rughani said: 'We need soldiers on the ground to go out and speak to the clinical commissioning groups.'

As of April 1 next year primary care trusts will be replaced by CCGs led by GPs, who will set out to reduce the strain on secondary care.