Submissions have been made following the GOC’s call for evidence for its Strategic Education Review. While this exercise was primarily for input into the review of education it highlighted a number of areas we would do well to be mindful of.
It is well known the NHS is under considerable financial strain and with a growing and ageing population it will be more difficult to deliver services. In the devolved nations (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) some in-roads have been made in the delivery of enhanced services in the community and England is slowly commissioning these services and it is imperative dispensing opticians, contact lens opticians and low vision opticians are involved in the delivery of these services.
Many services fall within the DOs’ areas of core competence – eg paediatric dispensing and low vision – and with appropriate training, accreditation and governance Minor Eye Conditions Services could and should be delivered by CLOs.
Particularly with certain areas of the country lacking in optometrists, it makes perfect sense to use highly skilled opticians to help lighten the load and free up valuable chair time for those who need an optometrist. Well trained support staff can also help with the triage of patients and skilfully make the best use of precious appointment times and the practice team as a whole can deliver comprehensive eye health to the community.
Public health has become a key issue in recent years, and I feel as we move forward in 2017 and beyond it will become more integrated into what we do and more aspects of a holistic care package including smoking cessation, weight management and other health advice will be available from optical professionals in the community.