College issues urgent call for an increase in training places
We are today publishing a new position statement calling for a phased increase of 382 training places by 2031 to address the rising demand for eyecare services across the UK.
News & Views
Read the latest RCOphth news updates and guidance here.
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.
College President responds to Shadow Health Secretary's comments
In response to comments by Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP in The Sun and on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme regarding Labour’s plans to make further use of independent sector providers in England to bring down NHS waiting lists, College President Professor Ben Burton commented.
College outlines actions needed to future-proof ophthalmology services
We are today publishing our three-step plan to future-proof NHS ophthalmology and are calling on politicians and policymakers to follow our recommendations to secure a sustainable and comprehensive eyecare service for people across the UK.
Our priorities for 2024: Securing sustainable ophthalmology services
As we enter an election year, it is imperative we build on the momentum from 2023 to strengthen ophthalmology services, training and research in the UK.
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.
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 backs independent prescribing responsibilities for orthoptists
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has written to Health Minister Will Quince MP to express our support for the extension of independent prescribing responsibilities to orthoptists. The British and Irish Orthoptic Society has previously advocated for these responsibilities, including in a letter to the Secretary of State.
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.
RCOphth responds to government’s elective recovery taskforce plan
The Department of Health and Social Care has today published its Elective recovery taskforce implementation plan. The plan covers England and focuses on ‘increasing the use of independent sector capacity across a broader range of specialties, helping to get NHS waiting times down and ensuring every patient can realise their right to choose where they receive their NHS care’.