As a dispensing optician who works in Scotland, in addition to being ABDO president, I read with relish the Community Eyecare Services Review commissioned by Health Secretary Shona Robinson.
The review comes a decade after the introduction of the universally NHS funded eye examination in Scotland and reflects on eye care delivery in the intervening time and how it can be improved to meet the needs of the population in the future.
The review highlights schemes which have already been put in place to reduce geographical differences in services and suggests moving forward so that some services – traditionally the preserve of hospital ophthalmology departments – such as post-operative cataract monitoring and the management of stable glaucoma patients can and should be based in the community.
The review also recommends the creation of a national list of all dispensing opticians and optometrists, which will not only improve service planning and delivery but will provide a clear signpost to those involved in service delivery, which can only be good for the profession and more importantly the public.
The Scottish Government has recognised the delivery of services in a local, familiar, accessible setting relieves pressure on hospital out-patient departments and improves the flow of patients, thereby allowing those who really need the services of ophthalmology departments to access them when they really need them.
This review is our blueprint to delivering services to the nation in the future and I for one am excited to be a part of the challenges and opportunities it presents.