College of Optometrists

Hospital Eye Service Experience

During pre-registration training the Hospital Eye Service provides invaluable experience. Within the Scheme for Registration we ensure you gain the correct breadth of experience by specifying that you must provide evidence for certain Patient Episodes/Encounters as well as setting a requirement for a minimum number of refractions and dispensings. Many Patient Episodes will be covered during your training in practice but the HES experience also provides valuable opportunities in this respect. You can find more detail on the Patient Episodes/Encounters specifically related to the HES experience in the document on the right, and in your Trainee Handbook.

Although HES departments are more likely to be able to provide certain types of experience than an average optometry practice there is no guarantee that you will be able to complete all the Patient Episodes you wish to during your HES experience. You should aim to try and complete as many Patient Episodes in your own practice as possible. If you are struggling, let your supervisor know. They are responsible for ensuring you gain the full range of experience detailed in the Trainee Handbook.

From feedback given by HES managers we know that it is helpful if you are able to let the manager of your HES department know if there are certain kinds of patients you would like to see. They may be able to arrange appointments to coincide with your visit.