A very interesting day was recently hosted by the College of Optometrists reflecting on the Foresight and Optical Workforce reports and just what they might mean to all of us engaged in the optical sector.
In a round table discussion subjects such as technology, regulation, scope of practice and changing demographics were debated in workshops with us asking ourselves, in particular, ‘What will change?’, ‘What needs to change?’ and ‘What can we do about it?’
Lively and sometimes heated debate ensued around the room with the facilitators sometimes struggling to call us all to order.
My thoughts on the day were that we need to engage as a sector to discuss and highlight what action we need to take in light of the two reports – after all this change will affect us all.
Speaking for ABDO, what I envisage is change in quite a few areas. There is no doubt with the advent of technology modes of practice will change with more automation in high street practices, the DO may be the person to carry out various tests and the optometrist the person responsible for signing these off. DOs, CLOs and LVOs are well placed in practice to do more – all dispensing (especially paediatric dispensing), contact lenses, low vision and Mecs (with appropriate training and accreditation) all fall well within the competence of dispensing opticians, and changes in educating the profession to be fit for the future is a must whether they be DOs or optometrists.
Students in training now need to emerge as competent practitioners ready to face the challenges optometry will throw at them in the coming years, which will certainly look very different to the world we live in now.
Fiona Anderson, president, ABDO
