CPD

Continuing Profession Development (CPD) is a requirement for all fully qualified Optometrist and Dispensing Opticians. This is to ensure skills are kept up-to-date and to allow for new skills to be developed in order for safe practice and for the protection of patients.

CPD is points-based and runs over a 3-year cycle. The current cycle is running from 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2024.

The new cycle will be from 1st January 2025 to 31st December 2027.

The breakdown of the CPD requirements can be found here on the GOC website.

The requirements are adjusted for you if you are joining the register once the current cycle has commenced.

You can log onto your MyCPD account here. This will allow you to track your CPD requirements, log points and view current progress.

CPD Grants

Optometrists and Ophthalmic Medical Practitioners (OMPs) who perform General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) are allowed to claim a grant for the CPD they have undertaken on an annual basis.

The current window for claiming CPD opened on Monday 1st July 2024 and closed on 31st October 2024. The payment for this claiming period is £596.

The allowance is to compensate for the time taken to undertake the CPD and not for the costs of the CPD, or the costs of travel to and from the CPD event.

To be eligible to claim the CPD allowance, you must have:

• Been on the relevant Ophthalmic list for at least 6 months
• Maintained your GOC registration
• Performed the appropriate services under the NHS contracts

In England, you must claim your grant through a contractor.

If you are an employee, you are expected – but not obliged, to claim through your employer.  As a locum, it is advisable to use someone you have worked for – but it is not mandatory.

Claims must be submitted online with PCSE.

Performers:

1. Log in to PCSE Online as a GOS Performer
2. Select Ophthalmic and click on ‘make a claim’ and then select ‘CPD’
3. The declaration page will appear, you need to check your details, sign the declaration, and select ‘Save awaiting Contractor Signatory’. Your claim will then be automatically forwarded to your Contractor Signatory to sign
4. If you are also Contractor Signatory once you have saved your claim, read and sign the declaration and click ‘submit’ to complete.

Contractors:

1. Log in to PCSE Online as a Contractor Signatory
2. Select Ophthalmic and click on ‘Search for a claim’
3. Search for the claim using the drop down menu and then click ‘Open’ to view the claim
4. Read and sign the declaration

Click submit and your claim is complete.

More information can be found here on CPD Claims.