Today sees a breakthrough in eye care with the publication of the first multi-professional guidance for providers of eye services and clinical teams. This has been developed by multi-professional experts. Although it specifically applies to refractive surgery what is really important are the principles of joint-working, modernisation and an unrelenting focus on the patient.
Public need for eye health services is growing rapidly, linked to the welcome advances in longevity and technology, as the Foresight Report clearly set out.
Ophthalmology, optometry and optics all need to change rapidly to meet this need. If they do not, we are going to see even more people losing their sight unnecessarily for want of treatment. We all understand the constraints in the traditional hospital sector but, fortunately, these constraints do not apply in the community where ophthalmology, optometry and optics can respond far more quickly to changing local and national demands.
Today’s new guidance moves us forward not only in terms of clinical teamwork, professionalism and outcomes but also in recognising the role of tele-medicine to meet changing patient needs and wishes.
It also proposes that all providers should sign up to a reputable remediation service for those rare occasions when trust breaks down between patient and clinician or provider. In optics we already have the excellent OCCS and I would hope this model can be built on for the new ophthalmology services.
Ensuring good eye health depends on us all working together, making most effective use of our skills and techniques. FODO is delighted to be at the forefront of helping the sector move forward. We are nearly a fifth of the way into the 21st century, so let us embrace positive change for the benefit of all.
