The AOP is extremely active in primary care development issues, working to encourage, advise and support optometrists and Local/Area Optometric Committees involved in - or wanting to get involved - in the provision of enhanced services.
The AOP has many resources available, either through this web site (see the menu on the left) or in printed form and is able to provide advice to anyone who needs help in developing the role of optometry locally. Please contact:
Patricia O'Sullivan
Head of Professional Services
Tel: 020 7207 2195
Email: patriciaosullivan@aop.org.uk
Geoff Roberson
Professional Adviser
Tel: 020 7202 8155
geoffroberson@aop.org.uk
Some useful sites to explore:
Link to College of Optometrists Code of Ethics and Professional Guidelines
If you wish to check on any aspect of the College's professional guidelines, in relation to primary care development, please click here, which takes you directly to their website. Some College guidance is only available to College members. However, non-members can acquire this guidance for a small fee. If you click here you will access a list of the guidance available.
Some links require a pasword, but many work just fine, including a link to the British National Formulary.
The Eyes and Vision Specialist Library (EVSL) is one of 24 Specialist Libraries commissioned by the National Library for Health. It is an online library that is accessible 24/7 to any generalist or specialist health professional involved in eye health care e.g. GP, casualty officer/ houseman /SHO, high street optometrist, as well as ophthalmologists, orthoptists and nurses. The purpose of the library is to find, organise, and facilitate access to the best currently available evidence on eye health in order to support and inform clinical care in NHS England. Clearly knowledge gaps exist - the conditions covered at launch represent those eye conditions that are sufficiently common to have had guidance procured by the NHS or prepared by professional bodies.
The library provides access to online resources produced, commissioned or licensed by the NHS (e.g. Health Technology Assessment reports, NICE guidelines, National Service Frameworks, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination abstracts, the Cochrane Library); and professional body publications. Key research findings (as presented in peer-reviewed articles) that have shaped current clinical thinking and current practice are also being added to the library.
This site provides news, discussion forums, email bulletins and a wide range of information in key areas, including eye care. It covers the latest guidance from the Department of Health on eye care intiatives and commissioning, providing a very useful source of information for optometrists and primary care organisations alike. It also lists optometric competencies, which are set out as guidance for PCTs when contracting eye care services.
NHS Networks' mission is to identify all the networks which exist within the NHS and encourage the sharing of ideas between, as well as within, these networks. It provides space and facilities for people and organisations to share their experiences and successes.
EMail Forums for Local and Area Optometric Committees; members of PCT Professional Executive Committees or their equivalents; practitioners interested in diabetic screening
The AOP hosts three email discussion forums: one for those involved with their LOC/AOC or similar bodies, one for PEC members and the other for those interested in diabetic screening. The forums give members the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences and to discuss the issues they face in their dealings with PCTs and other primary care organisations.
Anyone wanting to join the lists should email davidcraig@aop.org.uk with details of which list they want to join and where they are from.
