NHS reform continues to be of enormous concern for the optical sector, yet clear direction and strategy specific to optometry has been difficult to obtain. Without strong understanding of the way new structures and hierarchies will operate it is hard to know which stakeholders to engage with and how to best communicate the enormous expertise and resources the sector has to offer.
It is important that the use of optical practice, with its expertise, capacity and convenience, is championed within the current NHS reforms. This is the focus of this year’s National Optical Conference, taking place on November 13-14. The conference programme contains in-depth information on the direction of NHS reform, and opportunities for LOC representatives to contribute their local experience and knowledge to the national debate.
Matt Neligan, director for primary care commissioning and transformation at NHS England and NHS Improvement, will deliver the first keynote speech giving essential insight into NHS change and reform. Professor James Kingsland, OBE, former president of the National Association of Primary Care, will present the second keynote. Professor Kingsland was co-author of the primary care home model and is clinical lead for the National Primary Care Network. He will examine how Primary Care Networks (PCNs) operate and their importance as a target for LOC activities and engagement. This will lead a Q&A session including an optical sector representative letting attendees raise key issues.
An innovation this year is the discussions addressing topics relevant to LOCs, including PCN engagement and STP/ICS transformation. Delegates can contribute their local knowledge to ensure that it becomes part of the national debate, informing how LOCs and Locsu respond to NHS reconfiguration.