Around a third of practitioners have now completed the peer review element of their CET requirements for the 2013-15 cycle but the majority are yet to meet their overall points target for the year.
The number of logged peer review points has doubled to 4,860 compared to figures reported in May (News 10.05.13).
General Optical Council head of education and standards Linda Ford said: ‘This represents 32.6 per cent of optometrists and contact lens opticians, who have to do at least one peer review session during the 2013-15 CET cycle.
‘We remain pleased that so many registrants have embraced peer review in the first few months of the scheme and we have received plenty of feedback from registrants who have found the opportunity to learn from their peers to be useful.’
The GOC was also monitoring the availability of CET points across the full range of competencies in optometry, dispensing optics, contact lens opticians and therapeutic prescribing.
Ford said: ‘Now the new scheme is well underway we are analysing the data from its first six months to identify whether there are any gaps in provision. This will allow us to work with providers to address any potential gaps well before the end of the current cycle.’
She reminded all registrants they now need to earn at least six CET points per year, as well as the 36 in each three-year cycle.
‘So far this year 45 per cent have already got their six points,’ Ford added. ‘The remainder must ensure they reach this target by the end of the year to stay on our registers.’
A number of key events on the optical calendar, including the BCLA Clinical Conference and Exhibition and Independents Day, have taken place in the past few months – boosting CET supply to participants.
However, the 2.5 per cent increase in CET allowance for the calendar year 2012, which can be claimed up until October 31, was described by the AOP this week as a small cut in real terms.