College staff appointments
Recent months have seen some additions and changes to the College’s staff team.
News & Views
Read the latest RCOphth news updates and guidance here.
New strategy will boost excellence, development and voice of ophthalmology
Our new organisational strategy launched on 1 January. Covering the period from 2024 to 2026, it sets out our commitment to championing the eye health specialty and improving patient care.
Postcode lottery for cataract training in independent sector
Despite important progress over the last two years, cataract surgery training opportunities in independent sector providers remain limited and in some areas – including the South West of England and London – there is no training at all in the independent sector, insights from our Ophthalmologists in Training Group (OTG) indicate.
The College in the news
Our media coverage in November included mentions in the Financial Times and Medscape online news. Our active engagement with the media reflects our commitment to raising awareness about critical issues, advocating for reform, and increasing the profile of ophthalmology.
Westminster Eye Health Day
As part of our commitment to advocate for the ophthalmology workforce and foster effective primary and secondary eyecare integration, we co-hosted the annual Parliamentary event, Westminster Eye Health Day, on 11 December. The event, held in collaboration with The Eyes Have It and hosted by Marsha de Cordova MP, aimed to highlight the challenges in eye care services to policymakers and elevate eye care on the political agenda.
Honorary Fellowship for Mel
Congratulations to Melanie Hingorani former trustee and honorary secretary, who has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the College of Optometrists, one of only two presented this year.
2023 Winner of the Dr Sadhu Ram Gupta MBE Award for International (non-UK) Examination Candidates
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ Examinations department is delighted to announce the 2023 winner of the Dr Sadhu Ram Gupta MBE Award for International (non-UK) Examination Candidates.
Journal editor celebrated
Eye Journal editor in chief Sobha Sivaprasad will be honoured in a forthcoming Springer Nature event entitled ‘Celebrating Editorial Impact’. Sobha’s initiatives grew the journal from publishing around 300 articles a year to one publishing more than 500, and led to the launch of six new topical collections and prioritisation of the values of EDI.
President writes to new Health Secretary
College President Ben Burton has contacted the new Secretary of State for Health, Victoria Atkins MP, to congratulate her on her recent appointment and to highlight our priorities for UK ophthalmology services.
Alert: Burkholderia cenocepacia novel cluster with suspected association with carbomer containing lubricating eye gel
The UKHSA is investigating a novel cluster of Burkholderia cenocepacia involving 20 cases across the UK. Preliminary epidemiological and microbiological investigations have identified a potential association with carbomer containing lubricating eye gel. Investigations into the link between the cluster and carbomer eye gels are ongoing, and these findings are not conclusive at this stage.