SAS doctors - unsung heroes of the NHS
Shining a spotlight on SAS doctors and the invaluable leadership role they play in delivering specialised care in various sub-specialties of medicine.
News & Views
Read the latest RCOphth news updates and guidance here.
The Darzi report: what does it mean for ophthalmology services?
Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer Greg Ellwood-Hughes analyses the implications for ophthalmology services.
Policy roundup: August 2024
The latest edition of the policy roundup, a series of advocacy updates in which we share our most recent policy and public affairs activities and successes.
Policy roundup: July 2024
The latest edition of the policy roundup, a series of advocacy updates in which we share our most recent policy and public affairs activities and successes.
Policy roundup: May 2024
The latest edition of the policy roundup, a series of advocacy updates in which we share our most recent policy and public affairs activities and successes.
Latest audit figures show increase in numbers and outcomes of cataract procedures
The safety of cataract surgery in the UK is continuing to improve, results from the latest National Ophthalmology Database (NOD) audit – published today – show. Data gathered from 177 centres over a 12-month period to 31 March 2023 indicate that fewer than 1 in 200 patients experience substantial reduction in vision following cataract surgery. The major complication of surgery (posterior capsule rupture or PCR) is occurring in less than 1% of operations.
College calls for wider participation in national audit
As the latest National Ophthalmology Audit (NOD) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) audit report is published, its clinical lead, Martin McKibbin, is encouraging more ophthalmology services to take part in future audits so that more data on the care pathway is available and treatment outcomes can be standardised.
Scale of ophthalmology follow-up backlogs and need for better data collection highlighted by thinktank
The influential thinktank Reform has published a report highlighting the scale of follow-up backlogs in England, with ophthalmology the specialty with the most patients waiting for follow-up appointments. RCOphth Policy Manager Jordan Marshall summarises the key points from the report and what needs to happen next.
RCOphth evidence to COVID inquiry calls for better planning, coordination and consultation in future public health emergencies
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.
Government’s Elective Recovery Taskforce right to prioritise diagnostic capacity but independent sector is not a panacea
The Government’s Elective Recovery Taskforce has announced several actions aimed at increasing capacity in England in its implementation plan, especially through expanded independent sector involvement in the delivery of NHS services. While the measures, analysed in this article, represent an important acknowledgement of the need to urgently expand capacity and aspects of the plan can help ophthalmology if implemented effectively, to make a real difference policymakers must prioritise properly investing in NHS services and its workforce and infrastructure.