DOs engage at NOC 2022

New national clinical director for eyecare, Louisa Wickham

ABDO played an active role at the recent National Optical Conference (NOC) in Leeds, organised by the Local Optometric Support Unit (LOCSU).

The main theme of the event was to help prepare LOCs to navigate through recent NHS reforms – with sessions on ‘workforce and networking’ and ‘transformation’. The NOC was also the first opportunity for LOC members to meet and hear from the new LOCSU chair, Dr Joy Tweed, and CEO Janice Foster.

In another first, the new national clinical director for eyecare, Louisa Wickham, gave her first address to the eyecare sector at the NOC. She called for a “national collaboration” saying “if we’re all talking in a different language, if we’re all talking about a different destination or a different vision, it’s very difficult for us to get people higher up to listen to what we want – and we want to make eyecare something people really listen to.”

Seven different facilitated discussions took place at the conference, and this year CPD points were awarded for attendees. A total of 259 delegates were issued with certificates and 629 points were awarded.

ABDO clinical lead, Max Halford, joined Richard Knight in facilitating a ‘Structural leadership for LOCs’ workshop, outlining the structural reform and new legislation that will shape the NHS and wider health sector for years to come. They gave a special focus to how LOCs can harness the many opportunities now available for affecting change.

Outcomes from the session included the commitment by LOCs to either maintain or develop relationships with integrated care systems and primary care networks across system, place and neighbourhood levels, and demonstrate the leadership and added value that LOCs offer. There was also a request for LOCSU to develop further resources to assist LOCs in their engagement workstreams.

ABDO member and LOCSU digital learning support officer, Simone Mason, helped to facilitate ‘The effective LOC’ workshop, exploring ideas to reshape existing LOCs into a forward-thinking, effective committees fit for the future. One delegate Edward Ovenden said afterwards: “This workshop in particular was a lot of fun and has given me many good ideas to take back to my LOC.”

During a session on Optometry First, delegates heard from the three early adopters of the service – all experts in eyecare transformation. LOCSU clinical director, Zoe Richmond, led the Optometry First sessions.

She said: “It was an excellent session, with great participation. I think the delegates at this conference truly understand what we’re trying to deliver in Optometry First. It’s a vision; nobody across England is delivering a comprehensive eyecare service and Optometry First describes that ambition.”

ABDO head of communications and IT, Antonia Chitty, and Ed Fox from membership services, took part in the conference to provide information on the Association including membership benefits, its strategic focus and the importance of multi-disciplinary working within the sector. Antonia also hosted a session on sustainability in optics.

Antonia said: “It was great to take part in the NOC and to host a discussion group about sustainability. Those taking part were interested and engaged, and we made a number of new contacts for further work on sustainability. We also enjoyed talking with ABDO members on LOCs who were there. I hope ABDO continues to play an active part in the NOC in the future.”

Also in attendance to network and share best practice with colleagues was ABDO head of policy and public affairs, Debbie McGill. She said: “It was great to see so many dispensing opticians at the NOC, and the inclusiveness of the DO role in the sessions delivered. This recognises the clinical partnership between optometrists and dispensing opticians, providing the best eye health care services throughout the UK.”

Read more about NOC 2022 here.