Orthoptist apprenticeship launches

An apprenticeship for aspiring orthoptists has been launched that hoped to create more training opportunities and meet a growing need to tackle children’s vision problems.  

The programme will create paid apprenticeships in local NHS hospitals, rather than having to relocate for university courses in Liverpool, Sheffield or London. 

Julie Dowdney, head orthoptist at University Hospitals Dorset and vice chair of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society, said: ‘This is a game-changing moment for eye care in England. By training people in their local communities, we can better serve patients who need early diagnosis and treatment. This is particularly important in areas like southern England, where we’ve struggled to recruit enough specialists.’