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.
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.
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.
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: A new NICE guideline on the diagnosis and management of AMD came into effect on 23 January 2018. The new guideline includes recommendations for testing, and a
comprehensive list of classifications to aid referral.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.'
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.
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.
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.