Therapeutics joins list of eye care pathways

Early this month optician reported the Government was to allow optometrists to act as supplementary prescribers and will allow them independent prescriber status in future (News, October 3). At last week's ECSSG meeting it was agreed that therapeutics was an important area of practice and to add it to the existing four conditions the Steering Group has already discussed Ð cataract, glaucoma, low vision and AMD.
More than 80 bids for pilot projects across the original four areas were received, 20 of which have been shortlisted. The final list, for the five pathways, is expected to be published ahead of the new year launch.
One ECSSG described the meeting as 'very good', but another voiced concern that funding requirements needed to be considered in more detail. 'At the very least we need some indicative prices for these primary care procedures' optician was told.
A series of meetings with healthcare professionals will be held to launch the Plan from January 14-23.
The DoH is expecting up to 500 people to become involved in its implementation, including health service administrators, LOC chairmen and PCT optometric advisers.
The group was established by ministers in 2002 to develop proposals for the modernisation of NHS eye care services. The National Eye Care Plan is the forerunner to the review of the GOS, due to start next year.
samantha.daltonrbi.co.uk