21 July 2023

FODO member update – 21 July

This week:

• GOC workforce survey
• Hospital eye care under pressure in Wales
• New education lead role open for applications
• Other sector news
• Technology news

GOC workforce survey

The GOC's latest Registrant Workforce and Perceptions Survey 2023 shows that most respondents (62%) were satisfied with their role and felt their work was rewarding and interesting. In addition, 40% reported plans to gain additional qualifications.
 
The survey also found 53% work full-time and 47% part-time, while 22% reported they worked as locums.
 
The findings also revealed a worrying level of reported harassment, bullying or abuse and experiences of discrimination. For example, 41% reported harassment, bullying and abuse from patients, service users, their relatives, or other members of the public. Significant numbers also reported they had suffered this experience from other team members.

Steve Brooker, GOC director of regulatory strategy, said the GOC's "public perceptions survey 2023 showed high levels of patient satisfaction and confidence in the optical professions, but, sadly, this is not matched in the experiences of our registrants.

"While it is positive to see that overall job satisfaction has remained stable in the past year, the significant and largely unreported levels of bullying, harassment, and abuse in the workplace are deeply concerning. It is critical for public protection and patient care that registrants can work in supportive environments without fear of abuse."

Harjit Sandhu, managing director at FODO said: "The latest GOC survey provides important insights into registrants' lived experiences. While many enjoy their work and are looking to gain additional qualifications, it is a great concern that so many have reported harassment, bullying or abuse and discrimination. This is totally unacceptable and we will work with sector partners across the sector to address this at all levels"

In addition, the GOC will work with the wider sector to address these serious concerns.

Read more about the GOC's key findings:

• UK overall
• England
• Wales
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland

Hospital eye care under pressure in Wales

The latest eye hospital statistics in Wales show that more than 75,000 patients are waiting too long for ophthalmology, putting them at risk of irreversible harm or a significant adverse outcome.
 
Referral data also shows that more than 9,900 patients are referred to ophthalmology each month.
 
Daniel Hodgson, head of policy and public affairs at FODO, said: "The latest data reminds us why eye care reforms in Wales are so important. For too long, delays in accessing hospital eye care services have put eyesight at risk. Providing more eye care close to home, in opticians' practices, will help address this chronic system issue. That is why it is now so important that the Welsh government takes sector feedback on board and implements sustainable, patient-centred eye health reforms in Wales." 

New education lead role open for applications

The NHS Education for Scotland optometry team is looking for an experienced optometrist to be its new education lead. The deadline for applications is 2 August 2023. Find out more and apply. 

Other sector news

• Routine eye test saves sight of young football enthusiast.

• FODO award recognises outstanding work by UCLan student.

• The International Society of Dacryology and Dry Eye (ISD-DE) will host its next annual meeting in London from  29-31 May 2024. Learn more.

• Read the Q&A on talking assistive technology with Dr Nasser Siabi, OBE.

• Study identifies how diabetes slows healing in the eye. Read more.

Technology news

FODO works regularly with Fieldfisher, a leading law firm. The firm has now published a blog on the opportunities and challenges for AI in healthcare.
 
McKinsey has also published how generative AI might help tackle challenges in healthcare, four essential questions for boards to ask about generative AI and what every CEO should know about generative AI.