Read the latest RCOphth news updates and guidance here.
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.
A recent RCOphth Cataract Surgery Complications course was the setting for the world’s first surgical skills course in a dry-lab environment where trainees watched surgical techniques being demonstrated live, in 3D
Working with training programme directors, NHS England, ophthalmologists in training and independent sector providers, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) has published a blueprint to help providers and trainers enable appropriate and safe cataract training within the independent sector (IS), where these training opportunities are needed.
The General Medical Council has (GMC) published ‘The state of medical education and practice in the UK: the workforce report 2022.’ This highlights statistical trends and challenges facing the medical workforce, including specific data on the ophthalmology workforce. RCOphth Policy Manager Jordan Marshall and Policy Advisor David Murray summarise the key findings and what they mean for ophthalmology.
This year’s SAS National Eye Meeting, which is organised by The RCOphth Staff and Associate Specialist Ophthalmologists Group, will take place in person at the College on 25th November 2022. The one-day seminar will cover a wide range of topics that SAS doctors may encounter in their day-to-day clinical practice.
The General Medical Council (GMC) conducts an annual survey of trainees and trainers across the UK. This covers a range of issues relating to education and training, wellbeing at work and patient safety. The progression of ophthalmology trainees is still well behind what was typical before the pandemic.
The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill has been passed following a Scottish Parliament debate and introduces a fireworks licensing system, with mandatory safety training, for people wishing to purchase and use fireworks.
Letters have been sent recently to NHS organisations across England and the devolved administrations encouraging them to continue to look favourably on requests from doctors seeking their support to undertake national or regional work for the wider benefit of the public, and of health services.
The Curriculum Transition Checklist (CTC) tools have been developed to assist the transition of trainees into the new curriculum.
After 2 years of running revised patientless exams due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the College has now been granted GMC approval to implement a new hybrid format for both exams starting from this coming November.
