Regional Optical Conferences Take Place Across England
28 November 2024
Over the last few weeks, LOCSU have travelled across England for the Regional Optical Conferences (ROCs).
Held in place of the National Optical Conference (NOC), which has been postponed to May 2025, the ROCs kicked off in Colchester for the East of England ROC on 12 November. LOCSU then travelled to each of the seven regions in England, finishing in London with the South East region on Friday 22 November. Each event was different and tailored to the preferences, needs and priorities of each area.
The morning of each conference included an update from Janice Foster, LOCSU CEO, on how LOCSU is transforming to meet LOC needs, and was followed by sessions on LOC Governance, Operations and Professionalism with Louise Robinson, LOCSU’s Business and Operations Development Lead, and Richard Edward, OPTOMiSE Consulting, including a CPD accredited session on challenging conversations with Richard Edwards. The afternoons were agile, allowing attendees to suggest and vote for the topics they most wished to discuss.
Janice Foster, LOCSU CEO, said: “After travelling the length and breadth of England, one thing is clear- the LOC movement is growing and if you are not part of it, you must be.
“It is time for the NHS to sit up and listen to LOC experts. Eye care professionals are a vital part of the NHS and must be recognised if we are serious about addressing NHS challenges and improving the nations’ health. This is a wonderful, dedicated community that is undervalued and underestimated by the NHS.
“I have been energised, enthused and excited by what is to come, and a little exhausted when I contemplate the scale of work already undertaken when I listen to what has already been achieved, but we want more! I congratulate each and every LOC colleague. I am proud to be part of the LOC family and encourage you to be too.”
Sophie Withers, Vice Chair of Devon LOC, who attended the South West event, said: “The ROC gave us a really good opportunity to spend the time talking about local issues, so we were able to discuss specific challenges within our areas and take that local voice to the next level.”
Speaking at the North West event, Julia Maiden, national forum representative for the region and Chair of Ashton, Leigh & Wigan LOC, said: “I thought today was a great opportunity to speak to my fellow LOC members from across the region and learn what’s going on in their areas. I thought the day was really engaging, insightful and I learnt lots.”
Thank you to everyone who joined us – we hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did and we look forward to seeing you at the NOC in 2025.