Read the latest RCOphth news updates and guidance here.
This month saw the launch of the National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology for Wales. Our Llywydd (lead for the College in Wales) Rhianon Reynolds was instrumental in the strategy’s development. In this exclusive blog she discusses the lessons she learnt from the process and outlines why she thinks the strategy can be valuable for all eye care professionals, not just those working in Wales.
Launched on 14 October, the National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology presents a clinically-led case for a new model of eye care across Wales. College Llywydd Rhianon Reynolds, who is also National Clinical lead for Ophthalmology in Wales and a consultant ophthalmologist at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, led on the development of the strategy. Here she highlights 10 facts about the strategy that all College members should be aware of.
Read our latest coverage from June-July 2024, which included mentions in the Guardian and Health Service Journal (HSJ). Our active engagement with the media reflects our commitment to raising awareness about critical issues, advocating for reform, and increasing the profile of ophthalmology.
Read our response to the UK general election results on 5 July. Our president, Ben Burton, comments on Labour's victory and the unrivalled opportunity to deliver change and ensure patients receive the timely care they need.
Leading eye care experts have issued a call to the next Government to recognise the unmet needs of more than 2.2 million people across the UK who are currently living with a condition that causes visual impairment or sight loss, and as part of this, to commit to developing a long-awaited national plan for eye care in England.
Policy manager Jordan Marshall shares highlights of two topical discussions at last month's EyeConUK
We are encouraging members to take part in the NHSE outcomes and registries programme, a single registry of implantable devices. We have been working closely with NHSE to provide clinical leadership as the programme develops.
We are today publishing our three-step plan to future-proof NHS ophthalmology and are calling on politicians and policymakers to follow our recommendations to secure a sustainable and comprehensive eyecare service for people across the UK.
We have provided evidence to the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), which is responding to the UK COVID-19 Inquiry on behalf of all members. RCOphth Policy Advisor David Murray summarises the key points from our response, which recommends four actions to ensure UK ophthalmology services are resilient and able to deliver sufficient patient care and training opportunities during and after the acute stage of a future pandemic.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists President, Professor Bernie Chang, joined the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Eye Health and Visual Impairment to deliver a presentation on the findings of the College’s 2022 workforce census. Joining Parliamentarians and sector leaders, Professor Chang detailed the extent of the workforce shortages in ophthalmology and the event also saw presentations from the College of Optometrists, the Association of Optometrists, and Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital about workforce challenges and solutions in their areas.
