2025 in Review
8 January 2026
Happy New Year from the LOCSU team!
2025 was an exceptionally busy year for LOCs and LOCSU – we’ve pulled together some highlights. We look forward to working with you in 2026!
January: Induction Course
In 2025, 55 delegates from 36 LOCs across England attended LOCSU induction courses in January and September.
One delegate said: “I enjoyed completing the LOC induction course. It brought clarity to items which were previously vague/unknown, e.g. funding models for LOCs. I have left with an appreciation of how LOCs can benefit registrants and contractors, and was encouraged to hear personal insights from Simone, Danielle and all other contributors including my course mates. I would recommend this course to any LOC member whether new or experienced.”
Read more about the September induction course here.
Throughout 2025, LOCSU issued 1184 certificates and 2302 CPD points, an increase from 615 certificates and 1599 points in 2024.
February: Leadership Skills Course
Nine delegates completed LOCSU’s Leadership Skills for Optical Professionals, a 20-credit postgraduate module, and part of WOPEC’s MSc programme at Cardiff University.
One delegate said: “For me personally it has given me renewed confidence in my role within the committee. I have stepped up to the role of co-chair and begun the process of becoming a lead assessor for WOPEC. Also, within my workplace I am utilising my newfound leadership skills with my new colleagues.”
February: Treasurer Conference
In February, nearly 50 delegates attended the inaugural treasurers’ conference in London.
The conference covered succession planning, best practice and provided treasurers with practical tools for day-to-day accounting and forecasting.
Delegates heard from Asim Chaudhry from Locumkit, who discussed PAYE year-end planning and resources, as well as Sarah Kinsey from Menzies accountancy firm who presented template examples for record keeping and overall best practice.
Speaking at the event, Sara Shakir, Treasurer at Berkshire LOC, said: “I’ve been treasurer for about 18 months and today’s forum was really a plethora of knowledge. I learnt so much from all the different LOC’s, liaising with how they run things and how we do things differently. I’m very thankful to the LOCSU team for putting this forum together and inviting us all here today.”
Resources for treasurers can also be found in the members area here.
LOCs can view the list of upcoming events in the members area of the website here.
April: LOCSU Levy Reduction
In April, LOCSU announced the reduction of the LOCSU levy from 0.5% to 0.4%, recognising the financial pressures experienced by LOCs and local contractors, and the current financial driven NHS environment in which we all operate.
April: Model Constitution Launch
In April 2025, LOCSU released a new model constitution that was co-developed with LOCs with legal oversight from Hempsons LLP.
The new model constitution is more flexible than its predecessor from 2016 and is designed to accommodate greater local variation; enabling LOCs to make more choices on how they operate while maintaining a common high standard of governance consistent with the NHS Act.
More information is available here. For LOCs looking to adopt the constitution, please visit the members area – you will need to log in to view this page.
May: NOC25
The National Optical Conference (NOC25) took place in Birmingham in May. With interesting keynote speakers, over 15 workshops, networking opportunities and an evening dinner and disco, LOCSU were joined by over 250 delegates.
Reflecting on the conference, CEO Janice said: “It’s been a fantastic couple of days with so many delegates – over 250 people from across England – sharing everything that’s going on in their area. What better way to bring together the great work of LOCs.”
Of the 89 respondents who shared feedback, more than half gave the event an overall rating of exceeded expectations or exceptional, with one delegate claiming: “Day one was the best day I have had at any conference”.
May: Three-Year Strategy Launch
At the NOC in May, LOCSU launched a three-year strategy: Shaping the Future of Local Eye Care. The strategy is centred around three pledges to enhance, enable, and empower a unified LOC community to lead change and improve population health.
View the strategy or read the summary here.
July: CVD Case Finding Team
A new CVD Case Finding Team were appointed in 2025, focusing on supporting the ongoing pilot programs across England.
Since then, the LOCSU CVD team has been working to develop a national blueprint for CVD based on the exciting and varied work coming out of the pilot sites. This is due to be published alongside an evaluation report in early 2026.
Local leaders from LOCs across England have been supporting case finding for hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Local pilots are ongoing – find out more about local innovations here.
July: NHS 10 Year Plan Materials and Support
Following the launch of the NHS 10 Year Plan in early July, LOCSU created resources for LOCs, including a Focus On document, outlining the relevance for LOCs.
August: Glaucoma Pathway Review
LOCSU completed a review of the glaucoma pathway resources in 2025 and published the new look pathways and supporting clinical pathway guidance.
The resources were reviewed to ensure they adhered to applicable national guidance, supporting the delivery of clinical best practice and continuing to reflect the evidence base from local innovation and pathway improvement.
Supporting information is available for LOCs in the members area – you will need to log in to view this.
October: Annual Report Published
In October, LOCSU published the 2024/25 Annual Report.
This includes events of 2024/25 and considers how LOCSU addressed the 2024/25 forward plan throughout the year, covering priorities such as ‘Increasing LOC focus’, ‘LOC development’ and ‘Protecting and increasing resource in primary eye care’.
November: Member Development Day
LOCSU held the first Member Development Day in London this November, which was celebrated as a success by attending LOCs.
Evaluating a ‘fantastic day’ the following afternoon, CEO Janice Foster said: “It has been wonderful to take the time to reflect on the Member Development Day with the LOCSU team.
“We had 100 LOC leaders in the room, representing every region in England. The collective wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise is astounding and supporting and learning from one another is invaluable.”
Resources from the event are available in the members area here.
LOCs can view the list of upcoming events in the members area here.