View from Locsu: Take the lead with CCGs

As the sector’s Breakthrough Strategy – to double Mecs and increase step-down care – gathers pace, we enter a significant point in the CCG contract cycle. The contract negotiation process with Acute Trusts starts in September with an assessment of the first six month’s activity figures, this influences the setting of baseline spending figures for 2016-17.

It is important for LOCs to work with their Locsu commissioning lead to get a meeting with the CCGs in October to discuss how commissioning extended primary services could reduce the acute activity that needs to be commissioned in 2016-17.

It is also important we in optics are delivering a consistent message and driving change. We need to develop a single explanation of the benefits of ‘extended primary eye care services’ which optical practices can provide.