NOC 2022
Preparing for Change
The 2022 National Optical Conference welcomed 170 delegates from across England for two days packed with expertise, knowledge-sharing, and networking opportunities. The Queens Hotel in Leeds buzzed with energy as optical professionals engaged with the challenges posed by a changing NHS.
This was the first major event for new LOCSU CEO, Janice Foster, and new Board Chair, Dr. Joy Tweed, and proved an excellent opportunity for them to meet with LOC members and hear first-hand how they are seeing the sector evolve and where support is needed.
Janice reflects: “After COVID-19 caused such disruption to events, it was heartening to see the collaborative power of in-person events return at NOC. In this period of NHS change it is more important than ever that we understand the issues at stake and work together to develop a coherent response that puts primary eye care in a strong position. The content of the conference was closely tailored around the key topics and our speakers and session leaders led delegates to consider key challenges and opportunities and engage to share experiences.”
The first day of the conference focused on ‘Workforce and networking’ and the second on ‘Transformation’.
“Great to have some time and investment in wellness and wellbeing at the NOC.”
Keynote Speakers Urge Action, Endorse Collaboration, and Emphasise Self-Care
Professor Anton Emmanuel (above), Head of the NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) gave a no-holds-barred speech on equality and fairness. He was frank and uncompromising about the fact that direct process change is the route to reducing inequality, rather than less tangible “culture”-based measures. He urged the primary care sector to use data to identify areas of inequality and then act fast and decisively to address them.
Louisa Wickham, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Moorfield Eye Hospital Medical Director, called for a “national collaboration” on eye care, underlining the importance of having clear, consistent messages coming from all parts of the optical sector to effectively influence senior decision makers.
Catherine Thompson from West Yorkshire ICB urged LOC members to “keep the faith” as she outlined the Eye Care Transformation Programme in West Yorkshire and its patient-centric approach.
Dr. Rachel Morris, executive coach and presenter of the podcast ‘You are not a frog’, focused on prioritising wellbeing in busy workplaces and encouraged delegates to set boundaries to protect their mental and physical health.
Workshops Prompt Debate and Decision-Making
The seven NOC workshops covered a range of topics designed to help delegates engage with changing NHS structures, learn about redesigned pathways, and explore topics such as equality, diversity and inclusion.
LOCSU’s Clinical Director Zoe Richmond led the Optometry First workshop, which was a valuable opportunity to learn about the principles behind the new care model and hear experiences from the commissioners of the three early adopter regions: the Isle of Wight, Bassetlaw and Sefton.
The session prompted strong participation from delegates, who engaged with the break out discussions on workforce and capacity challenges; how to become a system partner in the new NHS; and building clinical confidence.
“What the Optom community needs to do is champion themselves, they’re doing a good job out there and we need to hear more about it and how they’re contributing to patient experience.”
Andrew Byrne, Operational Implementation Lead, NHSE
The ‘Effective LOC’ workshop saw the theme of engagement and optimisation of resources explored as delegates discussed how to become more effective.
Delegate Edward Overden found this workshop useful, saying it was “a lot of fun and has given me many good ideas to take back to my LOC.”
Other workshops covered Freedom to Speak up Guardians in Optometry; Workforce development/competency and the role it plays in eye care transformation; and structural leadership and LOC representation.
Reflecting on her first NOC, Janice said: “NOC showed the enormous value of spending time in person with stakeholders from across the optometry sector; alongside the structured opportunities to learn are those invaluable chance conversations that prompt innovation. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are core pillars of effective response to the changing NHS, and the NOC was an excellent example of that principle in practice.”
