Welcome to the Solihull LOC
This website has been developed to allow easy access to committee documents and act as a source of useful information for local eye-care providers.
About Us
The LOC endeavours to develop the role of local optometrists and dispensing opticians and to improve the services available
- Kazim Haji
Solihull LOC is the organisation representing Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians in Solihull. Our function is to liaise with NHS England, local area teams and CCGs on matters relating to eye care. LOCs were established by the NHS (Amendment) Act 1949 as the optical Local Representative Committee (LRC) whose primary care counterparts are Local Medical Committees, Local Pharmaceutical Committees and Local Dentistry Committees. Therefore, they are bodies created by statute and have an important and defined legislative role. LOCs are funded by a statutory levy on GOS sight tests (GOS forms 1, 5 and 6 fees) in their localities.
A well-run LOC is a major asset to the local optical community, NHS and local authorities and the public alike. As a registered CPD provider the LOC provides a number of educational events during the year. We are also associated with other LOC’s and form part of the Regional Optical Committee (ROC).
Meetings take place around 11 times a year. All are welcome to attend. We strongly encourage contractors and performers in the Solihull area to bring any concerns they may have to us.
Our next meeting
Meetings for 2023 will be a mix of virtual and in person, please see dates below which are subject to change. Parking, Refreshments and Sandwiches provided. Prompt 6.30pm start.
- 5th June – Virtual
- 3rd July – Crowne Plaza
- 4th September – Virtual
- 20th September – AGM – Crowne Plaza
- 2nd October – Crowne Plaza
- 6th November – Virtual
- 4th December – Virtual
Our LOC Members
Click on them to learn more...
Dan Sanders:
Vice Chair
Sukhi Drake:
Secretary
Cassandra Kendall:
Treasurer
Simone Mason
Vice Secretary
Arooj Wahid
Communications
Salma Ali
Vice Treasurer
Sukhi Drake:
Secretary
I have been Secretary of Solihull LOC since 2018. I am a contractor optometrist. My role is to check and respond to emails in a regular basis that comes in to Solihull LOC. I distribute notifications and circulate minutes of meetings.
In my spare time, I enjoy playing tennis, the gym and reading, spending time with my children.
Cassandra Kendall:
Treasurer
I have been Treasurer of Solihull LOC since 2012. I am a performer optometrist, working for Scrivens Opticians.
My role as Treasurer is to produce the end of year accounts, make payments on behalf of the LOC and ensure there are sufficient funds available from the NHS levy. I also create the LOC Business Plan.
Separately I liase with the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening service to keep the LOC up to date with any issues.
Simone Mason
I am a Dispensing Optician. I practice part-time in an Independent Opticians in Solihull. I have been a member of Solihull LOC since 2016. I also support LOCSU as their Digital Learning Support officer in facilitating training courses for new and existing LOC members.
In my spare time – I enjoy running and providing a taxi service to my 2 boys!
Arooj Wahid
I have been a social media officer since 2018. I regularly update our LOC’s social media pages. Making sure I share the latest and most relevant topics so our community are up to date and well informed. I also ensure any questions or enquiries don’t go amiss.
I’m a locum optometrist who enjoys walks, theatre and travelling!
We are a friendly, welcoming committee and love to interact so don’t be shy!
Salma Ali
Lead resident optometrist. Committee member since 2018 – co-management of the LOCs social media pages.
Dan Sanders
Director – Perspective Opticians
I have been Vice Chairman of Solihull for over 10 years. My role is to support to our fantastic Chairman, which involves attending meetings and contact with other healthcare stakeholders, such as the Regional Optical Confederation.
I am an optometrist, and owner of Perspective Opticians, an independent private practice in Solihull.
Running around after our two boys Bert & Fred is also a full time job, but cars are my guilty pleasure….I even enjoy cleaning them.
Spencer Parkes:
Chairman
Hitesh Parmar
Education Officer
Mandy Hart
HES Liaison Officer
Brendan O’Doherty
Referrals Officer
Kazim Haji
The members of Solihull Local Optical Committee have created a WhatsApp group called ‘Solihull Optical Support’ Group Chat- SOS. Please use the link below to email the LOC if you would like to join the group and please invite any colleagues too.
The aim of this chat is to help bring the Solihull optical community together and help support each other. Please try and keep this chat to professional work. The Solihull LOC Committee members are also on this chat to help answer any queries. You can find more details about the committee members below, we hope this will be a useful forum.