What challenges and opportunities will independent optometrists and dispensing opticians be presented with in 2017?
Peter Warren, AIO chairman
‘Doug Perkins’ rather clumsy letter to a number of independent practices at the end of November, suggesting that they become part of the ‘Specsavers family’, sent airwaves buzzing and may in retrospect be seen as a rallying call for independents to get on the front foot in 2017. With Specsavers signalling its move into a more extensive clinical offering it behoves the independent sector to build public awareness that most independent practices have been providing in depth eye health examinations for their patients for many years.
‘The AIO Independents Code is designed to do just that and with the first group of pioneer subscriber practices now live in locations across the country, the process of building awareness of what independent practices have to offer has begun.’
How will ABDO work to support the increase of students enrolling on dispensing undergraduate courses?
Sir Anthony Garrett, general secretary of ABDO
‘The demand for professionally qualified dispensing opticians is strong in both the multiple and independent sectors, as is the desire for DOs to undertake a wider role in practice. During the year ahead we expect to see moves for CLOs to undertake training and accreditation to take part in the delivery of Mecs.
‘Commencing January 1, 2017, ABDO has a new regional structure which is designed to promote the profession and ensure effective representation on AOCs, LOCs and ROCs.
‘We recognise that all employers need to ensure that all their practice staff have access to appropriate training, this is particularly true of the independent sector and we are therefore looking to grow the numbers of support staff undertaking the various Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) courses offered by ABDO College, which lead to qualifications awarded by the WCSM.’
How will the AOP deal with the widening remit of the profession in 2017?
Henrietta Alderman, chief executive of the AOP
‘The future impact of technology and the expanding optometry remit remains a focal point of discussions and work streams at the AOP. Over the next 10 years, the role of the optometrist is likely to be increasingly clinical. This has begun through Mecs delivery and increasing clinical skills but is rapidly set to affect the way both undergraduate and post-qualification education is designed and delivered. Most notably, this will come in the form of the GOC’s forthcoming education review and the government’s desire to re-evaluate how optical professionals are regulated.
‘The AOP’s role is to support members whatever their aspirations, and so ensuring they are equipped with the skills and can practise safely in this changing professional landscape is paramount.’
How will FODO help to future-proof the sector in 2017?
David Hewlett, chief executive of FODO
‘Brexit or no Brexit, the UK population is ageing and young people are becoming more myopic. In the NHS, need is fast outstripping supply. As a nation, we are allowing 20 patients a month to lose their sight unnecessarily for lack of capacity – this is unacceptable but no one cares, except the eye health sector.
‘We have to build our own solutions to these challenges, for example by moving closer to, and giving voice to, community ophthalmology, which has often felt like an exile in its own land as well as find new solutions to achieving IT connectivity with the rest of the health system.
‘FODO has to create new opportunities for optometrists and DOs, so that those who wish to can move up the skills chain and develop a new Prescribing Level 1, as the basis for universal Mecs.
‘We have to achieve parity of esteem between registered clinicians working together in newer kinds of multi-professional teams focused on skills and roles, not hierarchies. We should build all of this into the GOC’s education review and, working with universities, generate the workforce of tomorrow.’
What can the industry expect from the Education Review?
Alistair Bridge, GOC director of strategy
‘The optical sector is in a period of change in the UK which is being driven by two main factors: developments in technology as well as an increasing demand for eye care services fuelled by the growing ageing population in the UK, with the prevalence of eye disease being strongly linked to age.
‘The education of optical professionals needs to adapt so that they are equipped to meet the needs of patients in the coming decades.
‘That’s why our Education Strategic Review will be our main priority for 2017. We will consider how to ensure that students gain the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to become well-rounded healthcare professionals prepared to carry out the roles of the future.
‘As part of the review, we will be revising the standards that underpin both undergraduate education programmes and continuing education and training for fully qualified optometrists and dispensing opticians.’
What will patients be expecting from their independent optician over the coming year?
John French, chief executive of Sight Care
‘With countless online retailers, price comparison sites and a mountain of user reviews at their fingertips, today’s optician patients have never been more informed. And when they head out in search of their local eye care, their expectations around personalised service from their optician will be high.
‘Patients will also expect opticians to be online but it needn’t be transactional. Patients must be assured that if they make the journey to a practice, it will be worth it and their needs will be met. So independent opticians must be findable online and provide all the information to encourage people to visit, including testimonials. A website is an absolute bare minimum and opticians’ websites must be smartphone-friendly.
‘Independent opticians now need to prepare themselves to meet these expectations, which will surely continue rising in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Merging in-practice and online interactions will help to build the foundations for a more seamless service experience and a stronger relationship.’
What are the possible effects that Brexit could have on the industry?
Ian Humphreys, chief executive of the College of Optometrists
‘It is not likely that any major changes brought about by Brexit will be experienced in optometry as soon as 2017, although any economic uncertainty will, of course, impact the sector in the same way as any other operating within a retail environment.
‘Of more immediate impact in 2017 will be the continued development of enhanced primary eye care services. This is a great opportunity for optometry but we are aware that members will need support in developing their own knowledge, skills and confidence as their scope of practice changes. College-funded research recently published in the British Medical Journal has shown that enhanced eye care schemes are viewed positively by those involved, including commissioners, patients and providers – and we’re continuing to fund this project to provide more evidence for this type of extended service. At the same time, the number of universities offering accredited higher qualifications also continues to grow, many with distance learning options making them more accessible.’
How will UK suppliers meet the challenges to UK optics in 2017?
Bryony Pawinska, chief executive of the FMO
‘FMO’s members include manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of optical lenses, spectacle frames, contact lenses and optical equipment, as well as suppliers of consumables and accessories. Our members’ companies are the very foundation of the optical industry, and are the first to see technological advances such as auto-refractors, which are already in the UK. But technological advances bring increased competition for our members, with 3D printing potentially allowing people to make their own frames at home.
‘There has been a significant impact on trading conditions for UK importers, with the drop in the value of sterling following the Brexit referendum in June 2016.
‘For FMO’s members 2017 is about adapting to the challenging market conditions that continue to face the whole of the optical industry. For FMO itself, as a founder member of the Optical Confederation, it is about acknowledging the importance of working together to face the challenges not only for our own members, but all the professionals who work in optical practice.’
New FMO chair Andy Yorke added: ‘With Brexit still fresh in everyone’s minds and uncertainty over the ongoing impact on all of our members’ businesses, we will all need to be very inventive with our sales and marketing strategies to continue to prosper in these challenging times.’
