Verum is absolutely correct that we have to keep an open mind regarding the future education of the professions. This is true for both the undergraduate education that prepares students for entry to our registers and also for postgraduate education, CET and continuous professional development.
Optometrists and dispensing opticians have the potential to carry out far more enhanced services for patients; indeed in some parts of the UK they already are.
Currently, though, much of the training to equip registrants to undertake this work is taking place in a postgraduate setting. Verum is right to wonder if more of this training should not be taking place in the undergraduate years, ensuring that all registrants will be equipped to take advantage of opportunities to maximise their scopes of practice. With the rapid pace of technological advance in the industry, this could be essential if the professions are to remain relevant in a generation’s time.
After the launch of our new standards of practice (published on March 16), the next phase of our standards strategic review will look forward to consider the future of the optical sector. This will help us to better understand how regulation, including education, will need to adapt to meet the challenges of the future and enable developments in practice that will be in the interests of the public. We will certainly be keeping an open mind.
Gareth Hadley (Chair) GOC