The College takes every opportunity to promote the profession to patients, colleagues in other areas of healthcare delivery and the public as a whole. It also seeks to increase awareness of its role in optics and its relationship with other optical, medical and government bodies. The College formed an All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment in January 2002, which has 52 MPs and Peers in membership. The College provides the Secretariat for the Group.
The College plays a vital role in shaping optometric policy, through input to consultations with a wide variety of groups and organisations. We have recently submitted the following Consultation Responses:
- Welsh National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services – January 2005
- MLX319 The Medicines for Human Use (Kava Kava) Prohibition order for 2002 – February 2005
- MLX 318 Consultation on Proposed Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee – January 2005
- MLX321 Proposals to Introduce Independent prescribing by Pharmacists – May 2005
- MLX320 Consultation on Options for the Future of Independent Prescribing by Extended Formulary Nurse Prescribers – May 2005
- Home Office - Proposed Changes to Misuse of Drugs Legislation – June 2005