Regulatory changes to the optical profession in Ireland have been heralded as ‘a new era for optometry’ in the country.
As of November 1, regulation of the profession in Ireland was to be transferred from the current Opticians Board to CORU (The Health & Social Care Professions Council).
Peter Coleman, chief executive officer of the Association of Optometrists Ireland (AOI), welcomed the changes, adding that the AOI had been deeply involved at all stages of consultation.
‘Optometry in Ireland is about to experience a watershed event,’ he said.
Changes included the repeal of the Opticians Act, he said, which had restricted scope of practice of optometrists in Ireland and become ‘an enormous barrier to professional progress’, while the regulation of dispensing has been continued.
The transition to CORU required enactment of primary legislation to enable it, and was signed off by the Irish President in mid-December last year (Optician 10.10.14).
It meant optometrists regulated under CORU could practice according to their ‘knowledge, skills, competence and experience’ in line with other healthcare professionals and enabled the AOI to negotiate with public bodies to provide extra clinical services.
Under CORU, continuing professional development (CPD) would become a statutory requirement, with approximately 60 hours of CPD standard for a two-year cycle.
CORU registrants have also become subject to a new code of conduct and were open to fitness to practise complaints.
A statement by the AOI added: ‘Nothing will change overnight, but optometrists will have the opportunity to expand their practice activities into new services, provided they can demonstrate their competence to do so.’