In Focus: Planning for the future

A new document released by the College of Optometrists has set out its strategy and priorities for the next five years. Titled ‘Inspiring and Supporting Excellence: Our Strategy 2020-2025’, the statement focused on four strategic areas the College indicated would define its work in the future.

The four areas of focus have been listed as defining and inspiring excellence in optometry, enabling optometrists to maximise their skills and develop their careers, representing and amplifying the expert voices of optometrists and embedding insight and evidence at the centre of the profession.

Introducing the document, the College said: ‘As this strategy was being developed, the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, creating significant challenges in the professional and personal lives of every optometrist in the UK. While the immediate implications for practice are known, the long-term impact of the pandemic on eye health and care is still uncertain at the time of writing. What we are certain of is that the College must lead the optometry community in its response to the immediate challenges of the pandemic and through the phases of recovery.’