Scotland

16/09/24

ABDO representatives met with the Scottish Government in August to discuss policy and plans for the future of dispensing within the optometry portfolio.

ABDO’s chief executive Alistair Bridge was joined by Max Halford, ABDO clinical lead, Brenda Rennie, ABDO vice president, and Graeme Stevenson, Scotland regional lead, in the meeting with chief optometric advisor Dr Janet Pooley and Mike Stewart, who is head of community eyecare at the Scottish Government. The meeting took place at St Andrews House in Edinburgh in a friendly and positive atmosphere.

Initially, Alistair outlined ABDO’s strategic plan for the next few years, which aligned with many of the plans of the Scottish Government. We spoke about a number of important items within our future plans. First on the agenda was the plans for a national low vision scheme. The Scottish Government confirmed that plans arising from the 2017 eyecare review are in place and ready to go when funding allows. Dispensing opticians (DOs) would be eligible to be part of the roll out, which would be organised to ensure that each area has an appropriate number of practitioners to provide the service. A modified version of the College of Optometrists low vision certificate will need to be completed by all optometrists and DOs. This will be a very interesting project for all DOs and will be an opportunity for DOs to put into practice the skills they have learned from their studies.

The subject of DO registration in Scotland has been a thorny one for some years now. The Government have always said it would like to have DOs registered; however, suitable legislation has not been found to facilitate this, hence it has not come to fruition. The Government are looking at innovative methods to enable this to happen and are currently working on a number of projects that may help facilitate this. Registration would be fantastic for DOs’ career options and may even facilitate an opening to receive a CPD grant.

Among the other topics discussed were the ABDO apprenticeship, special schools project, Scottish Government support for DOCET (Directorate of Continuing Education and Training) funding for DOs, acute eyecare and future opportunities, and comparisons were made with other nations where extended services qualified contact lens opticians (ESCLOs) are able to contribute to patient care, and it was agreed to keep this ‘on the table’.

Overall, we had a very positive meeting and all parties left with thoughts for the future and agreed to make such meetings a regular occurrence.

We also met with Eilidh Thomson, the incoming chair of Optometry Scotland, who is also very supportive of DOs and indeed the aims of ABDO.

24 June 2024

This letter advises on:
• Progress in respect of the rollout of the CGS across Scotland;
• Information for potential applicants for cohort 4 of the NESGAT
qualification;
• The process for applying to undertake NESGAT training as part
of cohort 4;
• Key dates associated with applications for NESGAT cohort 4;
• The CGS Minimum Data Set, which supports uniformity of data
recording for the CGS;
• Key dates associated with the transition to a digitised solution
for CGS registration and assessment claims.

Read here.

02 May 2024

Dear Member,

Please read the latest letter from the Dentistry and Optometry Division, Directorate of Primary Care, Scottish Government, issued 29 April 2024.

This letter advises on:

• a change in the domain name of the ‘Eyes’ website, to https://www.eyes.nhs.scot;
• the decommissioning of the ‘Community Eye Care’ website and associated apps, and the migration of relevant clinical guidance content to the ‘Eyes’ website;
• the publication of guidance to support the risk stratification and safe discharge of patients into the Community Glaucoma Service (CGS);
• a trial enabling some people to apply online for the NHS Low Income Scheme.

Read letter here.

New Vouchers at a Glance for Scotland

There is a new Vouchers at a Glance for Scotland. Download your copy here.

12 October 2023

For your information please find attached circular PCA(O)2023(04) – covering Community Glaucoma Service information – and a letter from the Scottish Government’s Chief Optometric Advisor providing an update on undergraduate optometry degree reforms in Scotland.

PCA(O)(2023)(04)

Chief Optometric Advisor – Letter regarding undegraduate optometry degree reforms – 230929

Please see below for an update to the Scottish governments COVID-19 testing guidance.

Advance_notice_of_changes_to_Scottish_Governments_COVID-19_testing_guidance

PPV guidance