A summit to develop agreement between the eye health professions on glaucoma care commissioning was held by the College of Optometrists and Royal College of Ophthalmologists last month.
Over 30 optometrists, ophthalmologists, patients and policy makers met on December 14 to discuss quality and efficiency in glaucoma care.
The event explored the key elements of the glaucoma quality standard that the Department of Health commissioned NICE to produce along with other quality standards clarifying what high quality care looks like across specific diseases and conditions. The discussion resulted in a combined College consultation response to the draft standard on glaucoma which has now been submitted to NICE.
The second half of the meeting focused on how efficiency in commissioning and eye care pathways can deliver high quality services to patients. Participants were able to develop a better understanding of how GPs will be developing their commissioning practice.
Dr Cindy Tromans, president of the College of Optometrists, commented: 'We have two main outcomes from the day. A joint response to the NICE draft quality standard on glaucoma and a report from the afternoon session which we plan to share with the new NHS Commissioning Board.' Describing the event as a 'great success', Dr Tromans said the day provided 'a very timely opportunity to help participants to understand how we will fit into the new health landscape and what commissioners will be looking for'.
Professor Stephen Vernon, representing the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, felt the service that community optometrists and ophthalmologists were able to deliver to the public would be maximised by the professions working in partnership. He added: 'It is only by building relationships and continuing to work in partnership that we will improve eye health.'