It's excellent to collaborate with members during National Eye Health Week

NEW CHAIR WELCOMES PROPOSED 6% INCREASE IN NHS EYE TESTS 

Essential education package to help practitioners meet CPD cycle requirements

Seeking candidates now

The Association of Optometrists’ advice highlights that parents and teachers are often unaware when a child is struggling to see – and how good vision boosts a child’s confidence and participation in classroom activities

Dr Hampson to drive forward the AOP’s clinical and policy work as part of the organisation’s Five-Year Strategy 

Calling All Practice Owners and Managers: Your Input is Essential!

 The AOP is outlining three core priorities that are needed to fast-track the transformation of eye care for patients, as part of a renewed focus on primary care delivery

The effect of topical azithromycin on signs and symptoms of
meibomian gland dysfunction

Ian Jarvis, Sarah McCulloch and John Jarvis 

Statistics at a glance 

Three-quarters of high street optometrists have seen a patient in the last six months who had initially approached a GP

The AOP welcomes 14 members to its Council for elected and appointed positions

New free-to-access resource to aid business owners with day-to-day tasks of running a practice

The consultation closes 10 July 2024.

Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans and Visibility Scotland are working in partnership to bring SLCs to Scotland,

15th May 2024, 1pm-2pm 

Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020

Blog by Eilidh Thomson, vice chair of Optometry Scotland 

Findings to be presented to Scottish Government

The GOC is recruiting for one or more Independent Panel Members who will support the recruitment of members who serve on Council, Committees and some panels and boards

The General Optical Council is looking to appoint its third cohort of Council Associates, at least one of whom must be a dispensing optician

We're pleased to present our strategy for 2024 through 2027, which sets out how we intend to continue to advance world-class eye care in Scotland

A groundbreaking new survey being undertaken by the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER) is seeking views to help to tackle racism in Scotland's health and social care sector.   

This includes identification of workforce challenges, opportunities and recommendations to support informed future workforce and service planning.     

The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have launched a new campaign encouraging older drivers to consider their driving habits and have a free regular NHS eye examination so they can continue driving safely

Access the e-learning resource "Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Optometric Practice", 

A recorded webinar providing an update on Undergraduate Reforms.  

The final Cataract Surgery Standards document is now available.

The General Optical Council (GOC) held its final Council meeting of the year on 13 December 2023.

The College has published updated Guidance for Professional Practice for optometrists, including four new sections.

Following review of GOC’s Continuing Professional Development scheme

The last deliveries of at no cost PPE will be made in March 2024, (ordered month ending February 2024).

On Friday 24 November 2023 the MHRA published Device Safety Information (DSI) regarding a recall of specific batches of Carbomer Gel eye products as a precaution due to possible microbiological contamination

Update on 17th November 2023 - the most up to date information on how to submit your claim correctly and when to expect payment

NES have launched a new Optometry Foundation Training Year newsletter.

move to tackle significant levels of bullying, harassment and discrimination in optical professions

On the redesign of GCU’s Ophthalmic Dispensing Programme to Blended Learning

The application closing date is Thursday 9 November 2023.

Updated on 19th October 2023 - Practitioner Services have provided guidance and a flowchart to support the submission of CPD claims

The GOC have two opportunities for registrants to get involved in shaping the future of optical regulation. The General Optical Council are seeking to appoint one registrant Council member (optometrist or dispensing optician) and two Investigation Committee members (dispensing optician/contact lens optician only). 

This strategic move is part of the company’s commitment to driving growth and excellence in eye and hearing care services. Frances Rus, the outgoing CEO, will transition to Non-Executive Director, continuing to serve on the Board of Directors and remaining a significant shareholder in Duncan and Todd.

Letter from Chief Optometric Advisor Janet Pooley regarding undergraduate optometry degree reforms in Scotland 

Consultation to remove reference to a registrant's gender on the public register

The General Optical Council (GOC) held its third Council meeting of the year on 27 September 2023. 

The OS team swapped the office for the slightly grander surroundings of the Scottish Parliament last week.

Marking National Eye Health Week 2023 by encouraging MSPs to visit their local optometrists.  

An important update regarding access to the Emergency Care Summary data for patients.  

OS Reference Guide now updated

For all Optometrists and OMPs who have provided GOS in Scotland in 2023. 

6% increase in GOS fees announced by Scottish Government

Statistics as at year ending 31 March 2023

Based on stakeholders' feedback, Disclosure Scotland are working towards implementing Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 by 1 April 2023.  

Verification of contact lens specifications and definition of aftercare statement

An opening for an open-ended position at Lecturer level at GCU.

Pause in Scottish Government's routine COVID-19 testing guidance across health, social care and prison settings.

Meet Arthur McHugh, OS Independent Representative for the West Regional Cluster.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland want to hear your views.

Meet Ian Jarvis, OS Independent Representative for the North Regional Cluster.

Meet Richard Spruce, OS Independent Representative for the Central/East Regional Cluster.

Fife’s Best Professional Service Providers in Scotland’s Business Awards.

Meet Colette Dunsmore, OS Independent Representative for the South Regional Cluster.

The General Optical Council (GOC) has published its Registrant Workforce and Perceptions Survey 2023

Vaccination worker David Cullen went to his local Specsavers after being blinded in one eye for 10 minutes.

The General Optical Council (GOC) held its second Council meeting of the year on 28 June 2023. 

The Scottish Government wants to hear your views.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has reduced its list of notifiable ocular conditions that drivers must declare.

This training is ideal for anyone who wants to feel confident when guiding a loved one with a vision impairment.

RNIB launched their community pathway into their ECLO Service for patients affected by sight loss and their family and friends in January 2022.

Scotland will increase NHS optical voucher values from 1 June 2023.

The General Optical Council (GOC) has published its 2023 public perceptions research.

It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of our colleague, Peter Beaton.

It builds on the solid foundations of primary eye care in the UK, one of the world’s most advanced eye care service.

Saltcoats added to nationwide portfolio

Alan Brown MP is welcomed as part of a constituency visit.

Our current Chair of OS, Julie Mosgrove looks back on 2022 and makes some predictions for the year ahead.

Scottish Government interaction most valued 

This new service will aim to reach and engage with more people affected by sight loss.

Appoints Product Development Manager to Drive Future Growth Plan

As provider of Professional Certificate in Low Vision

Find out about the awards and finalists.

A Scottish Parliament inquiry has concluded.

The survey provides unique insights into the changing nature of the optical workforce, which will contribute to workforce planning.

OS acknowledges the Opticians Act is a successful piece of legislation and remains in the best interest of public protection.

OS welcomes a recent report recognising the important role optometrists can play in reducing pressure on GPs.

OS has appointed Eilidh Thomson as a new vice chair, along with four representatives to serve as voices for independent opticians across Scotland.

OS has announced the appointment of Julie Mosgrove as its new Chair.