Optometry Scotland has hailed new legislation to extend NHS independent prescribing rights for optometrists in the country with the introduction of prescribing pads within practice.
The Primary Care Division of the Scottish Government’s Health and Social Care Integration Directorate last week advised NHS Health Boards of the new legislation.
All optometrists in Scotland, who have completed a GOC-approved training course and who are entered on the optometrists’ register as an Independent Prescriber (IP), will now be able to make direct prescriptions.
Sam Watson, chair of Optometry Scotland, said: ‘Giving NHS prescribing rights to optometrists is another step forward in improving joint working within the NHS between the optometry sector and the primary health care system in Scotland.
‘This is another example of shifting and sharing the balance of care and it can only help improve the workflow within the NHS which will benefit and enhance overall patient care. At Optometry Scotland it’s important for us to make patients aware that optometrists are the GP for eyes and their practices are fully equipped to provide the best eye care available. We are the first port of call for patients when examining the eyes, detecting deficiency in vision, eye injuries and ocular diseases.
‘Introducing optometrists as NHS prescribers will augment quality eye care for patients and allow easier access across Scotland for eye-related issues. It’s fantastic that so many optometrists are progressing their skills in order to extend the service they offer to patients,’ Watson added.