Page 28 - FODO-Strategy-Document-Full-2023

Developing and training Although technology will transform how care is delivered, eye care
professionals will remain at the heart of service delivery for the
the future primary eye foreseeable future.

care workforce Primary eye care teams – optometrists, dispensing opticians and
trained support staff – have high levels of education, skills and
training. They are, however, not yet deployed to the maximum by
UK health systems.

Primary eye care benefits from a large and flexible registered There has also been insufficient NHS investment in skill mix and
workforce that can do more to meet the population’s eye health multi-disciplinary team working to maximise capacity to meet
needs at all life stages. growing eye health and related need.
Focus and investment will therefore be needed for our people to
continue to deliver world-class care, tackle preventable sight loss
and meet increasing eye care needs in the UK.

Eye health professionals in the UK 26 Building on the core education and training requirements of Higher
Education Institutions (HEIs) in the UK, we must also support those
who wish to specialise and obtain further qualifications. Doing
Optometrists both well will help ensure the delivery of the full range of enhanced
57% Most optometrists services at system, place and local levels in primary care.

Dispensing opticians and dispensing
25% opticians work in FODO members have already invested and delivered much in
Orthoptists primary eye care supporting primary eye care workforce development, including
5% settings across new university departments, in-work vocational training,
Ophthalmologists the UK conversion courses and continuing professional development
12% (CPD). We will now go further, by building on these solid
foundations and supporting our highly skilled optometrists and
dispensing opticians to move up the clinical leadership and skills
ladder. They will be supported by other qualified professionals
(ophthalmic technicians, optical assistants etc.), working under
24 Optometrists per 100,000 people, 11 Dispensing opticians supervision to lead new services.
including 2 Independent Prescribing per 100,000 people, This will enable us to meet more needs, improve patient outcomes,
Optometrists per 100,000 including 2 contact lens and ensure we meet the different working aspirations of new
opticians per 100,000 registrants, promote optimal professional development and
support a different work-life balance for the new generations of
primary eye care professionals.
5 Ophthalmologists per 2 Orthoptists per
100,000. Including 2 consultant 100,000 people
ophthalmologists per 100,000

28 FODO UK The future of primary eye care – principles and priorities 29