Optical leads set autumn deadline

Optical leads appointed by the Local Optical Committee Support Unit have been asked to pin down how government proposals for Local Professional Networks could work for optics following a meeting with officials.

The optical leads - appointed from the profession to represent different regions - have also been asked to identify pilot sites to trial the networks over the next few weeks.

All their suggestions will be passed to the NHS Commissioning Board's design and implementation team, which has been asked to report back to Sir David Nicholson, chief executive of the board, this autumn.

Alan Tinger, chair of LOCSU, said: 'Optical Leads will now begin the task of consulting with local optical committees in their regions as more detailed plans emerge.'