Page 29 - FODO Strategy 2023

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

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.

There has also been insufficient NHS investment in skill mix and
multi-disciplinary team working to maximise capacity to meet
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.

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
both well will help ensure the delivery of the full range of enhanced
services at system, place and local levels in primary care.
FODO members have already invested and delivered much in
supporting primary eye care workforce development, including
new university departments, in-work vocational training,
conversion courses and continuing professional development
(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
supervision to lead new services.
This will enable us to meet more needs, improve patient outcomes,
and ensure we meet the different working aspirations of new
registrants, promote optimal professional development and
support a different work-life balance for the new generations of
primary eye care professionals.

The future of primary eye care – principles and priorities 29