Shaping eye care: Leading the clinical development of new models of optometric care

The College ensures that optometrists play a central role in defining and leading change across new models of care.

We want to ensure that:

  • optometrists are at the heart of new models of eye care introduced across the UK
  • new models of care are based on our clinical guidelines and good practice
  • new technology developments benefit shared and enhanced care pathways and are developed to good and consistent standards

The College will achieve this by:

  • supporting optometrists in providing more enhanced and shared eye care services
  • working with national health services and governments across the UK to ensure that:
    • clinical pathways, guidance and standards are based on College guidance and clinical advice
    • the value of optometrist-led services is recognised
  • maximise the positive impact of innovation and technology for patients

Advancing optometry: Optimising the optometry workforce and increasing its recognition

We want to ensure that:

  • eye service commissioners have access to high quality, up-to-date information on the UK nations’ eye care workforce to better respond to their populations’ needs
  • optometrists are increasingly recognised as first contact healthcare practitioners in all four UK nations

The College will achieve this by:

  • implementing its vision for the optometric workforce:
    • we champion optometrists as first contact practitioners who can manage and treat more patients in primary care
    • leading a multi-professional eye care workforce supply and demand data modelling project, called the UK Eye Care Data Hub
    • we enable optometrists to contribute to the education of the next generation through supervision and mentoring schemes
    • we encourage the role of optometrists in taking the lead in clinical research

Ensuring excellence: Providing optometrists with up-to-date, evidence-based guidance and clinical advice

We want to ensure that:

  • optometrists have the tools and expert advice:
    • to maintain good patient safety and outcomes
    • to safely expand their scope of practice
    • to adopt new or evolving models of eye care
  • our guidance continues to be the main reference for national optometric policies and guidance across the UK

The College will achieve this by:

  • continuing to produce, review and update national and UK-wide guidance to support optometrists with the safe delivery of primary eye care:
    • we regularly review and update the Guidance for Professional Practice (GfPP)
    • we review and update our Clinical Management Guidelines (CMGs)
    • we develop additional guidance to support optometrists to adopt new or evolving models of eye care, new services delivery, and new practice developments​
    • we develop joint guidance with partners, such as the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and ABDO, to encourage more integrated eye care services across the whole sector
    • we work with partners, such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, to support optometrists who are seeking to expand their scope of practice
  • working with governments and national optometric advisers to inform policies and clinical guidance in all four UK nations

Championing the role and expertise of optometrists

We want to ensure that:

  • eye health stays high on the agenda of governments and health services in all four UK nations
  • optometrists continue to be valued and recognised as a key healthcare profession
  • optometrists' contribution to improving eye health across the four UK nations is recognised

The College will achieve this by:

  • responding to consultations and inquiries from governments, regulators and healthcare bodies on behalf of the profession
  • advising governments and members of national parliaments on key optical topics
  • representing the optometry profession and influencing activities and groups that shape the future of the profession across the UK
  • raising awareness of the role of optometrists and the importance of good eye health

Latest policy news

College welcomes government proposed plans to extend range of medicines that optometrists can supply

As part of its 10-Year Health Plan, the government is proposing to extend the range of prescription-only medicines available for optometrists to supply under the medicines exemptions legislation.

College response to Welsh consultation on signed orders formulary

This consultation is to agree on an approved list of eye preparations for inclusion in the Wales General Ophthalmic Services signed order formulary.

Mandatory sight tests for drivers over 70 considered as part of new Government road safety overhaul

The College of Optometrists and the Association of Optometrists have welcomed the move that will be the most significant shake-up of driving laws in a decade.

GOC publishes proposed changes to its business regulation framework following sector consultation

The College broadly welcomes the General Optical Council’s (GOC) proposed changes to its optical business regulation framework following the regulatory body’s consultation with the sector earlier this year. 

More news