The College of Optometrists Chair of the Board of Trustees has written an open letter to Simon Stevens and Matthew Swindells at NHS England about IT connectivity for primary optical care.
Member briefing: We make recommendations on how falls teams could be supported in checking patients’ vision, and how we could support and encourage better connections between them and local optometrists.
New technologies mean that with the guidance of eye health professionals, prevention, promotion and treatment can be embedded in the local community, but this needs to be prepared for.
We have responded to a Health Education England call for evidence making the case for greater investment in the optometry workforce to support better integrated eye care now and in the future.
Research, including work carried out in high-street optometry practices, is driving innovation in clinical practice and at a policy level, writes Mark Gould.
College President Professor Leon Davies FCOptom represented the College at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Eye Health and Visual Impairment this week.
Member briefing: The NICE guideline on the diagnosis and management on AMD includes recommendations for testing, and a
comprehensive list of classifications to aid referral.
As the demand for ophthalmology services among new and existing patients mounts, Sophie Goodchild explores a pathway to support people on NHS lists at every stage of their eye care journey.
Member briefing: A new NICE cataracts guideline came into effect on 25 October 2017. It is primarily for clinical treatments and surgery at ophthalmology level. However, there are implications for optometrists considering referral and in postoperative patient assessment.
Member briefing: The revised NICE guideline Glaucoma: diagnosis and management came into effect on 1 November 2017. The member briefing below summarises the main points and outlines how it will affect you in practice.
Member briefing: On 29 September 2016, the College hosted a landmark roundtable event in London, involving all the key optical sector organisations, to gather ideas for preparing for an uncertain future.
Independent MP – and independent optometrist – Shockat Adam talks about his first six months in Parliament and how he is bringing eye health care to the national stage.
This brief presents key findings from the latest evidence and offers recommendations to expand and fully integrate optometry-led urgent eye care services across England.
The College is committed to reducing vision-related falls. By working with UK falls services we can identify and support patients with failing vision. There are plenty of opportunities for members to get involved.
The Opticians Act 1989 underpins the General Optical Council’s regulatory work. Sophie Goodchild looks at why a review was needed, the response from stakeholders, and the next steps.
Despite compulsory safeguarding training every two years, optometrists can still feel unsure of their duties. Kathy Oxtoby looks at what to do if you suspect a patient requires safeguarding.
Prime Minister has set out plans to end NHS England waiting list backlogs. Under the Elective Reform Plan, millions of patients will be able to access more appointments closer to home and get the treatment they need faster.
We have responded to the General Optical Council (GOC) consultation on revised Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians, Standards for Optical Students and Standards for Optical Businesses.
The College responded to a DSHC consultation to support the extension of provision of free PPE to the health and care sector, including optometrists, after 31 March.
The College of Optometrists is calling on the next Westminster government to establish optometrists as the first port of call for anyone with an eye care issue.
The College has offered its congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party on their success in the General Election and on forming the next UK government.
Today the Prime Minister has responded to the Darzi Review - a rapid review to diagnose the problems in the NHS which sets out themes for the Government to incorporate into their 10-year plan for reforming the NHS in England.
The College of Optometrists welcomes Healthwatch England’s recommendations to commission more optometry services within primary care to reduce hospital waiting times and improve patient outcomes.
Following feedback from members we have finalised our response to the consultation on an optometrist apprenticeship standard, and our open letter to the Trailblazer Group.
The College has responded to a consultation on whether health and social care staff had the right skills and training to provide effective care to people with a learning disability or autism.
The College proposes 13 key changes to help minimise the risk of healthcare-associated infections and ensure the guidance remains aligned with the four Nations' public health advice.
This outlines a COVID-19 Urgent Eyecare Service delivered from a network of optical practices, acting as urgent eye care hubs, to support the immediate and recovery phase of the coronavirus pandemic.
The College and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists has sent the following letter to Jo Churchill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care.
The General Optical Council (GOC) has launched its consultation on revised Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians, Standards for Optical Students and Standards for Optical Businesses.
The General Optical Council (GOC) has presented a draft response to its call for evidence on the need for change to the Opticians Act (1989) and the consultation on associated GOC policies to its Council.
We have responded to the GOC's consultation on whether, in some circumstances, it would be more appropriate to use email rather than post to deliver statutory notices.
We have responded to the GOC's remote hearings protocol to support the fitness to practise process with the administration and progression of hearings as restrictive lockdown measures continue to ease.
Headlight glare is a modern-day problem that results in many drivers, particularly older drivers, refraining from driving in the dark due to safety concerns.
The Department of Health and Social Care is consulting on proposals for mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccinations for all frontline health and social care workers in England.
The College of Optometrists and the Optical Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) call on the government to make a long-term commitment to primary eye care in its NHS 10-Year Health Plan as part of the shift from hospital to community.
We all have the opportunity to ensure the 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS recognises the central role optometrists play in leading and delivering new models of care to improve patient outcomes.
The College of Optometrists has responded to the Department of Health Northern Ireland consultation on improving access to Help with Health Costs for those receiving Universal Credit.
Eye Care Services are experiencing increasing pressure due to greater patient need. This can lead to delayed treatment for patients who need hospital care.
Following feedback from members we have finalised our response to the consultation on an optometrist apprenticeship standard, and our open letter to the Trailblazer Group.
With half the world's population estimated to be myopic by 2050, Olivier Denève, our Head of Policy and Public Affairs, asks how we can explain the risks and benefits to patients.
Following the announcement by the Secretary for Health that the isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19 will be cut to five full days in England, NHSE has confirmed this will apply in primary care settings.
We have responded to the Department of Health and Social Care consultation on 'Healthcare regulation: deciding when statutory regulation is appropriate.'
The College, The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and the Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) back the Government’s commitment to put patients in the driving seat and give them more control and choice over their care.
The College of Optometrists has collaborated with the RAC on its latest research into the issue of headlight glare. Under-35s, and those in conventional height vehicles, are more likely to say headlights are too bright, though three-in-10 SUV drivers still say most are.
We've responded to a consultation by the Department of Health and Social Care on making vaccination a condition of deployment in the health and wider social care sector.
The GOC has launched a consultation on its new draft Speaking Up guidance, designed to support registrants to speak up about concerns, particularly those affecting patient and public safety.
Coinciding with National Eye Health Week this year, Party Conference season is an opportunity to raise the profile of eye health with MPs and ministers.
We believe that vaccine uptake will be maximised when staff are supported to make their own decisions, having been provided with clear, evidence-based information on the benefit and value of vaccinations.
We have issued a statement about the decision to end glaucoma and cataracts enhanced eye care services in Hampshire and Isle of Wight at the end of this month.
The College of Optometrists was invited to provide evidence at the parliamentary hearing on The Safer Phones Bill, a private member’s bill aimed at protecting children’s rights and well-being in the digital age.
There has been an update to the summary of product characteristics for the Prescription Only Medicine form of chloramphenicol 0.5% multi-dose eye drops.
The College responds to DVLA's consultation on amending the Road Traffic Act 1988 to allow registered healthcare professionals to complete DVLA medical questionnaires.
The General Optical Council (GOC) sought views on how they can continue to support registrants and the optical sector throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.