Plans to end Special Eye Care Service put on hold following pressure
Following fears the Special School Eye Care Service would end in March 2023, it is welcome that following pressure the evaluation of the scheme has been extended to August 2023.
News & Views
Read the latest RCOphth news updates and guidance here.
Living RCOphth values and behaviours
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has carried out a culture initiative, exploring working relationships, ways of working and behaviours, which has generated a set of values to bind us together, underpinned by ways of working and behaviours which we feel will really help to generate an even more cohesive and collaborative environment at the College and with members. These values we aspire to are; Inclusive, Innovation, Improvement and Integrity, all with a set of behaviours that demonstrate what these mean in our day to day activities and working relationships. We are now working on meaningfully embedding these values in everything that we do.
Task and finish groups conclude work to explore cataract provision and growing role played by independent sector providers
Following joint task and finish groups convened by The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and NHS England, guidance has been published on cataract commissioning, the referral and post-operative pathways, and training in independent sector providers.
NHS Sets Out Advice for the Public During Industrial Action
The NHS is asking patients to use services wisely during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
GMC makes announcement on improving investigations
The GMC has announced that it will make initial contact with doctors by phone if they need to investigate concerns. The change is part of a series of improvements by the GMC to take a more compassionate approach to reduce the impact of investigations and the anxiety for doctors.
The RCOphth supports RNIB letter on the benefits of CVI registration
The RNIB has written to The Royal College of Ophthalmologists to ask for its support in helping patients to understand how the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) and sight impairment registration can help during the cost-of-living crisis.
RCOphth responds to launch of Elective Recovery Taskforce and drive towards greater use of independent sector capacity
Responding to the establishment of the Elective Recovery Taskforce and its focus on utilising independent sector capacity and community diagnostic centres to reduce backlogs, RCOphth stresses the need to preserve the sustainability of NHS ophthalmology services and find solutions to the long-term challenges facing the sector, particularly regarding the workforce.
New OTG Chair
The OTG has recently appointed as its new Chair Mr Hasan Naveed, representative for Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS). Mr Naveed officially took over as OTG Chair on 25 November 2022.
RCOphth elects a new President!
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists is pleased to announce that Professor Ben Burton has been elected as the next President. Professor Bernard Chang will officially hand over the office of President at the AGM during Congress in May 2023.
Unique opportunity to influence future MHRA safety communications and safety reporting systems
This is a unique opportunity for healthcare professionals and representative organisations to have your say on the way you would like to receive safety information from us.