LOC Member Development Day Celebrated as Huge Success
28 November 2025
LOCSU held the first Member Development Day at Grand Connaught Rooms in London on Monday 24 November – celebrated as a success by attending LOCs.
The event built upon previous development days for chairs and treasurers, enabling delegates to explore opportunities and challenges presented to Local Optical Committees (LOCs) and primary care optometry by the NHS’s 10-year plan: ‘Fit for the Future’.
The Development Day included an abundance of debates to ensure LOCs are in the best possible place to support the success of the 10-year plan on a local level.
Discussion-based workshops were themed around the important ‘live’ topics of glaucoma services delivered by primary care, primary care optometry commissioning and LOC influence in the emerging NHS systems, communications, CPD, governance and leadership.
Event feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with delegates keen to share their thoughts and ideas as the momentum behind the community of LOCs and the importance of primary care optometry continues to grow.
There is a wealth of expertise within LOCs and primary care optometry, and it is important that this is recognised and utilised, and that local decision-makers engage with LOCs for the benefit of patients and NHS systems.
Through retaining and expanding important NHS services delivered by local primary care optometry, collectively we can ensure best possible accessible care; supporting the NHS aims of moving care from hospitals to communities and shifting from treatment to prevention.
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.
“We recognise the challenging and shifting NHS landscape which LOCs are navigating, and creating space for everyone to openly share their live experiences enables us to plan a way forward. Delegates left the day with contacts, tools and tips to support their LOC.
“Primary care optometry is a vital part of the NHS system, and the skilled workforce is already having a tangible impact improving people’s health outcomes. Engaging LOCs in local discussions supports informed decision making. I encourage anybody who hasn’t spoken to their LOC to reach out.
“I also encourage LOCs to access the LOCSU expertise and resources that are available. Built upon knowledge and insight from across the country, the LOCSU support is designed to make your life easier.”
LOCSU would like to thank all delegates who attended and embraced the open debates; the success of the day is attributable to the passion of the people in the room.
Photos, resources and slides will be released by LOCSU in due course. Please keep an eye on the bulletin for further information.