Updated Guidance for Professional Practice published
The College has published updated Guidance for Professional Practice for optometrists, including four new sections.
Eilidh Thomson MCOptom
Vice Chair of Optometry Scotland
“The launch of the new Guidance for Professional Practice has been a truly collaborative approach from all four nations.
“The review group have applied lessons learned from the pandemic and beyond to provide robust guidance which should provide every practitioner clarity and confidence moving forward in their clinical practice for years to come.”
Dr David Hill MCOptom
Council member, Eastern
“With the huge increase in myopia management awareness in primary care, the new myopia section will help the practitioner balance their enthusiasm with the need for extra care in conversations and follow up plans."
“For many practitioners, work can be isolated, due to working on their own or just being too busy. The guidance reflects what is expected to keep everyone safe and delivering the appropriate level of care. Now it is easier to access with embedded links to further information."
Sharon Beatty
Clinical Advisor, Optometry Wales
“Optometry Wales was delighted to be part of the Review Group to provide input into the revised Guidance for Professional Practice alongside our UK partners. The addition of the new section around Collaborative Care Pathways is extremely timely for practitioners in Wales.
“Recent Optometry Contract Reform in Wales will significantly increase the number of shared care pathways and collaborative working between Optometry and Ophthalmology. This section and all the updates will continue to provide an invaluable source of guidance for use by practitioners on a daily basis in our rapidly evolving profession”.
Daniel Hardiman-McCartney MBE FCOptom
Lead Clinical Adviser at The College of Optometrists
“The 4th edition has many updates and contains new sections that enable optometrists to innovate the ways eye care can be delivered, whilst still ensuring good practice and protecting the public.
“The review process has been a collaborative endeavour, with representatives from all nations, stakeholders, individual experts, clinicians and patients represented.
“Finally, the guidance will be published digitally on our website, on our member app and in PDF for expert witnesses, making the 4th edition the most collaborative and sustainable guidance update that the College has published.”
