OOs at the forefront with clinical diploma

Four optometrists last week were among the first to complete a new training programme aimed at providing primary care trusts with more professionals with wider knowledge of specialised eye care services. The Postgraduate Diploma in Ophthalmology course attracted other healthcare professionals, including GPs and nurses keen to widen their skills for Britain's 'modernised' Health Service. Organised by the Middlesex University and Rila, the London-based provider of continuing professional education, students pursued a year-long clinical training programme through a combination of workshops, distance learning and local clinical attachments with ophthalmic specialists. 'This programme has illustrated how it is possible to successfully train professionals with related skills,' said consultant surgeon Professor Ram Dhillon, catalyst of the diploma. Professor Dhillon, who is also national clinical lead of the treatment centre group in NHS Modernisation Agency, commented: 'This is an important development for eye care generally, but for optometry in particular, and my own feeling is that GPs will be working in these areas far less than optometrists in future. 'The diploma will enable the award holders to offer an extended range of services to individual patients and PCTs. It is a true example of workforce redesign and its programme is designed to provide the skills required by PCTs, so that increasing numbers of appropriate eye disorders can be managed in primary care.' Optometrists were admitted to the training programme as their professional skills provided a sound grounding for developing enhanced expertise in ophthalmology and thereby they could 'assist in the delivery of reformatted services for eye care'. The diploma also has HPD (Higher Professional Development) accreditation from the Royal College of General Practitioners, is recognised for CET by the College of Optometrists and is endorsed by the National Association for Primary Care. The course will begin again in late September. For more details go to www.pgdip.com