News & Views

The GMC have agreed changes to curriculum requirements at ARCP to enable progression where disruption to training has been unavoidable, and where it is safe for patients and supports trainee well-being. Trainees and trainers are invited to join a webinar on Thursday, 29 April 2021 to learn more about the temporary curriculum derogations and how portfolio evidence should be assessed for 2021 ARCPs. Participants will be able to take part in a Q&A session.

The 33rd AGM of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists will be held at 10.00 Tuesday 25 May 2021. It will be a virtual meeting and all members are encouraged to attend. Members can contact [email protected] if they are not attending Congress, but wish to attend the AGM.

We are seeking applications for ophthalmologist representatives from the RCOphth membership. As an Advisory Group member, you will support the Clinical Lead and Project manager in developing the national cataract audit. The National Ophthalmology Database Audit (NOD) is internationally renowned as an exemplar of high quality audit that produces results in positive outcomes for patients and the profession. The NOD Cataract audit aims to prospectively collect, collate and analyse a standardised, nationally agreed dataset from all centres providing cataract surgery in the United Kingdom.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has issued a statement, 'American Academy of Ophthalmology Leads Call for Ophthalmic Equipment Manufacturers to Standardise Digital Imaging'. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists agrees with the recommendations that manufacturers must implement the existing international standard for communication and management of medical images and related data (DICOM).

The Cataract Services Workforce Guidance March 2021 includes a RCOphth cataract workforce calculator tool Mar2021 to support workforce planning to meet demand. 

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists welcomes the contract reforms approval and introduction of the new ‘specialist grade’.  Specialty and Associated Specialists doctors account for 30% of the ophthalmic workforce and are exceptionally important in the development and delivery of care in the Hospital Eye Service.

The RCOphth seeks a Lay Advisory Group (LAG) member in supporting the RCOphth in the advancement of the science and practice of ophthalmology and representing lay opinion to the College.

John Buchan, ophthalmology consultant appointed as Clinical Lead for the National Cataract Audit Database.

The first of a series of a series of webinars about The Eye Care Digital Playbook was held on Monday 1st March. These webinars, held jointly between NHSX and The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, will look at how the eye care playbook can improve patient experience and directly help clinicians support their patients. 

The number of sight impairment and severe sight impairment certifications (CVI) decreased dramatically in April – June 2020. However with improvement in the pandemic situation, the numbers increased to pre-pandemic levels by September. Numbers dropped to about 80% of pre-pandemic level in January - February 2021. There remains a substantial backlog of people not offered certification during the lockdowns. We need to encourage ophthalmic care teams to identify patients not offered CVI’s during the Covid-19 pandemic and explain the benefits of registration to them.