03 November 2023

FODO member update - 3 November

This week:

• Royal College responds to hidden waiting list research
• GOC publishes report on education
• Take part in Optometry Scotland survey
• Other news
• Health policy news

Royal College responds to hidden waiting list research

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) has responded to the Reform report on hidden NHS waiting lists.

RCOphth said it had argued for a much "stronger focus on follow-up waiting lists" for the previous two years. It also warned the Public Accounts Committee about a "huge hidden backlog not accounted for in NHS England statistics".

The College welcomed the national media attention on ophthalmology waiting times, especially as delays in care can result in avoidable sight loss. It said it had shared its views on the impact of independent sector provision on cataract surgery and the need now to expand capacity for follow-up care for other sight-threatening conditions.

In addition, RCOphth was keen to see:

• The role of ophthalmic technicians expand in diagnostic hubs or more diagnostic services in optometry practices
• NHS commission services that allow more patients to be discharged by hospitals to optometrists and to ensure "the governance structure, integrated care pathway and oversight" is in place to "enable safe, high-quality care in the community"
• Robust referral refinement criteria and discharge guidelines to enable more patients to be seen and treated in primary eye care
• IT connectivity to make this happen.

Harjit Sandhu, FODO's managing director, said: "We welcome the Royal College's call for action. As we reported last week, patients are at significant risk of preventable sight loss due to delays in hospital care, and it is vital NHS commissioners in England act now to commission enhanced primary eye care services to help reduce this risk."

He added: "The Royal College and FODO share many of the same goals, including the need for robust IT connectivity to enable much-needed transformative change for the benefit of patients we all serve. We will continue to work with all sector partners to ensure policymakers and commissioners understand and act on the risk people face because of gaps in NHS commissioning."

• Read the Royal College statement
• Read Principles and priorities for primary eye care.

GOC publishes report on education

The GOC has published its 2021/22 education monitoring report.

The GOC has approved 15 optometry, six IP, nine DO and three CLO qualifications. The data shows that the total number of students on optometry courses reduced by 37 to 3,233 in 2022-23. There were 740 DO students and 60 CLO students.

Optometry courses continue to be in demand, said the report, with a high ratio of applications to admissions. Those applying also had strong academic backgrounds. Although IP qualifications declined, IP students had a 'very high level' of attainment. DO courses also had solid levels of progression and attainment, with a lower ratio of applications to admissions.

The GOC report also acknowledges the pandemic's lasting impact on education and training, including the supply of placements, a higher number of students not progressing, and physical and mental effects on students and staff. Progression from optometry year one fell from 96.4% in 2019/20 to 84.5% in 2021/22.

Daniel Hodgson, head of policy and public affairs at FODO, said: "We play a leading role in workforce analysis and development and will analyse the data in this report in detail. We will continue to work with all sector partners to ensure we support students throughout their education and training and have the primary eye care workforce we need to meet population needs in the future."

FODO members who want to participate in our workforce project should email [email protected]. 

Take part in Optometry Scotland survey

Optometry Scotland is calling on providers in Scotland to participate in its membership survey. The annual survey asks for your views on priorities and other important work. Fill out the survey. 

Other news

• Trial finds potential effective treatment for Acanthamoeba keratitis. Learn more.
• Moorfields Eye Hospital expands again. Read more.
• Academics warn that changes to diabetic eye screening could result in treatment delays. Read more.
• LOCSU is listening. The organisation is starting a listening exercise at NOC from 14 November until March 2024. LOCSU hopes to hear from LOCs about the support they need. Read more.
• LOCSU has a new podcast. Listen as the LOCSU chair introduces new clinical board directors.

Health policy news

Last week, we reported on Reform's research into hidden waiting lists. This week, the Health Foundation has warned that NHS waiting lists for elective treatment have tripled since 2013. Its modelled potential waiting time scenarios also suggest the list could grow to 8.1 million by summer 2024 if current growth rates and strikes continue. Read more.

Steve Barclay, secretary of state for health and social care, told the Independent Healthcare Provider Network that the government in England was interested in partnering with the independent sector to help diagnose and treat more patients. Read more.