Optometry First – Call to Action
11 February 2022
Primary eye care has long been able to deliver a wide range of NHS care outside hospitals, including diagnosis, treatment, follow‐up to surgery, and the co‐management of long‐term conditions.
Through NHS England’s National Eye Care Recovery and Transformation Programme, commissioners are being encouraged to take advantage of the full range of clinical expertise and infrastructure primary eye care has to offer, recognising it as the equivalent of general practice.
This is driven by the need to tackle outpatient waits, eliminate the risks of avoidable sight loss and address hospital capacity pressures which existed prior to Covid, and have increased significantly during the pandemic. The expansion of care outside hospital is also key to outpatient transformation and bringing the benefits of integrated care closer to home for an ageing population.
To help the NHS achieve this vital service transformation, the national optical bodies have worked with NHS England to develop an Optometry First model to be commissioned at scale utilising a consistent service specification.
Optometry First describes a comprehensive primary eye care service. It builds on the principles of CUES and reflects the vision of The College of Optometrists, Royal College of Ophthalmologists and wider optical representative bodies for a joint vision for safe and sustainable patient eye care services.
It will improve efficiency and accuracy of case‐finding, extend the scope of care available within primary eye care and improve patient experience and opportunities for self‐care. The model employs the core competencies of optometrists, dispensing opticians and their practice team, supported by higher qualified primary care practitioners and the multidisciplinary hospital ophthalmology team, where necessary, across a network of local optometric practices and the hospital eye service.
The service will ensure that primary care practitioners can offer first contact care through to resolution whilst also providing continuity of care for people with a long‐term condition closer to home.
NHS England now wish to test this model by working intensively with a small number of systems, as well as continuing to work more widely, with a view to strengthening the evidence base and demonstrating a route to scaling up across England. This is an approach supported by all optical bodies.
The willingness of primary eyecare to participate is a key criterion for ICS selection. Therefore, we are urging practices and their whole practice teams to demonstrate their willingness by getting involved if their area is selected to test this new model of care. In the first instance please contact your LOC for further information who will link directly with the ICS, LOCSU and other representative organisations.
If you would like to learn more about Optometry First, please contact your LOC, LOCSU or your representative body. You can also apply for an account on the FutureNHS Collaboration Platform and view the Optometry First Toolkit online.
Notes to editors
The national optical representative bodies:
ABDO ‐ The Association of British Dispensing Opticians is the professional body for dispensing opticians. Its purpose is to support and represent its members, promote awareness of their roles, enable their professional development and to advance the profession as a whole.
Contact: policy@abdo.org.uk
AOP – The Association of Optometrists is the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the UK. It supports over 82% of practising optometrists to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. It protects, supports and represents its members throughout their careers.
Contact: policy@aop.org.uk
The College of Optometrists is the professional body for optometry and supports its members in achieving excellence throughout their careers. It champions the profession, defines best clinical practice, and enables optometrists to develop through high‐quality training and qualifications. The College ensures that optometry continues to progress through research, and actively educates and advises the public.
Contact: policy@college‐optometrists.org
FODO – The Association for Eye Care Providers – is the leading national association for eye care providers working in primary and community care settings. Each year its members provide over 18 million eye examinations and offer a wide range of other eye care services across the UK.
Contact: healthpolicy@fodo.com
LOCSU ‐LOCSU is the Local Optical Committee Support Unit, supporting Local Optical Committees (LOCs) in England across a range of activities relating to primary eye care. Our work includes policy work, pathway development, commissioning support, governance and compliance support, communication and training.
Contact: info@locsu.co.uk
Berkshire LOC Latest News
PES Enhanced Cataract CPD Event: 18th December 2024
Join us for an insightful, free event tailored for practitioners involved in enhanced eyecare services using OPERA, with a spotlight on the pre-op cataract/enhanced cataract referral service in England. 📅 When: Wednesday 18th December, 7pm – 8pm. 📍Where: Online, via Zoom. 🎓Earn: 1 Interactive CPD Point (Lecture) for OOs and DOs This session …
Continue reading “PES Enhanced Cataract CPD Event: 18th December 2024”
11 December 2024
PCSE System Downtime 28-29 November
Dear Colleague, We’re letting you know about scheduled maintenance taking place this week. Due to scheduled maintenance, PCSE Online will be unavailable from 6pm on Thursday 28 November to 6am on Friday 29 November. We will then be carrying out assurance testing until 8.30am. Please note, the contact us forms on the PCSE …
Continue reading “PCSE System Downtime 28-29 November”
27 November 2024
RNIB CET Event – Monday 2nd of December
The RNIB Low Vision Centre is pleased to inform you of a free CPD event for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians on: Monday 2nd December 9.15- 16.00 Low vision and Learning Disabilities Conference (5 CET points) Content: Low vision Workshop Learning disabilities Workshop Retinal conditions in Low Vision Lecture – Consultant ophthalmologist Christiana Dinah Eyecare support …
Continue reading “RNIB CET Event – Monday 2nd of December”
21 November 2024
Safeguarding Adults Week 2024
Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce that we are raising awareness of Safeguarding Adults Week 2024, an annual campaign aimed at raising awareness and promoting best practices in safeguarding adults. Primary Eyecare Services are proud to be supporting this campaign. We would like to encourage you to take the time to read …
Continue reading “Safeguarding Adults Week 2024”
21 November 2024
PCSE – System downtime 14th of November 2025
Primary Care Support England System downtime 14 November Dear Colleague, We’re letting you know about scheduled maintenance taking place this week. Due to scheduled maintenance, PCSE Online will be unavailable from 6pm until 9.30pm on Thursday 14 November. Don’t forget to read our Business Continuity Guidance If your store is unable to access PCSE Online due …
Continue reading “PCSE – System downtime 14th of November 2025”
13 November 2024
Special Facial Characteristics GOS supplement – includes Tomato and MiraFlex range
If you have had a GOS claim for a SFC supplement refused by the RBHT because the frame dispensed was not custom made, ie. from the “Tomato” or “MiraFlex” range, please be aware that you are able to challenge this under the SGS additional guidance, details below: Small Glasses Supplement Additional guidance NHS England and …
12 October 2024
VISIO Health Inaugural Launch & Optometry and GP Education event
VISIO Health, in partnership with ZEISS, is hosting its inaugural educational meeting alongside its official launch, focusing on holistic care for Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Aesthetics, and Wellbeing. The event will feature interactive workshops that include diagnostic imaging interpretation, case-based discussions on treatment options across various specialties, and hands-on experience. Accredited with 15 CPD points, this …
Continue reading “VISIO Health Inaugural Launch & Optometry and GP Education event”
7 October 2024
Optician is delighted to announce the return of its CPD certified conference on Sustainability – October 1st & 2nd of October
Eyes on Sustainability is a ground-breaking multi-channel initiative that combines live conferences and focused monthly editorial content. Eyes on Sustainability 2024 (#EOS24), is CPD certified and will take place on October 2nd at Brighton i360 and will provide a launchpad for retail optics to reduce its impact on the planet while meeting current and future …
20 September 2024
CUES CPD Event: 23rd September 2024 7PM – 9PM
Primary Eyecare are excited to announce an upcoming CPD webinar on CUES, “The CUES conundrum: solving the urgent eyecare solution” Monday 23rd September, 7PM-9PM 2 back-to-back lectures with 2 interactive CPD points in total! 7PM – 8PM = CUES pathway and protocols 8PM – 9PM = CUES referrals from the red tab …
Continue reading “CUES CPD Event: 23rd September 2024 7PM – 9PM”
6 September 2024