A new knowledge hub to facilitate closer working within the optical sector to meet new requirements for independent and contact lens opticians has been set up by the Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (Spoke), on behalf of the General Optical Council.
The knowledge hub will look at a variety of projects, including the demand for indicative requirements to accompany the Outcomes for Approved Qualifications for the additional supply, supplementary prescribing, and independent prescribing categories, and contact lens optics.
It will also undertake further projects in close consultation with the optical sector and academic community.
The hub will have a limited life-span, beginning in January 2023 and closing in July 2025, when the GOC expects providers of currently approved and provisionally approved qualifications will have adapted to the new education and training requirements.