General

Sound Optometry


Domains: Clinical Practice, Professionalism, Specialty CPD (IP)

No CPD Points


Welcome to Docet’s podcast Sound Optometry, hosted by Michelle Hanratty, an IP optometrist with 20 years’ experience on the high street and in hospital. Each month, with case studies and in-depth conversations, we will be exploring topics that matter the most to you as optometrists and are relevant for everyday practice.


Episode 18: Enhanced Optometric Services Part 2 (Scotland and Northern Ireland)

The second of a two-part series highlighting Enhanced Optometry Services across the four nations of the United Kingdom, starting with Wales and England and concluding with Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

We hear from Doug who first accessed community eyecare services in Scotland several years ago on account of his recurrent uveitis. His story demonstrates the benefits of the service and how primary and secondary care can work synergistically. Kathryn Trimmer then explains how free eye care to all patients has helped to change public perception of optometry in Scotland, and how the profession are now gatekeepers for secondary care. 

We then hear from Máiread O’Kane, a community optometrist working in Omagh, Co Tyrone which is a large rural town in the west of Northern Ireland. Máiread holds her IP qualification and is registered with the Health & Social Care board as a non-medical prescriber. Her IP prescribing status facilitates clinical management of acute eye problems within NI PEARS optometry service.

The episode ends with presenter Michelle Hanratty reflecting on the evolution of optometry services as the public becomes increasingly aware that optometrists can provide eye health care as well as vision care. 

Subscribe to the series on your preferred podcast player so you don’t miss an episode. You can access all episodes of Sound Optometry here.

Last published: December 2022

    Learning outcomes

    Clinical practice

    s.7 Conduct appropriate assessments, examinations, treatments and referrals

    • To know what constitutes an appropriate assessment for the investigation of the signs and symptoms of a patient presenting for a non-routine eye examination.

    Professionalism

    s.10 Work collaboratively with colleagues in the interests of patients

    • Able to identify the most appropriate eye care pathway for a patient and to work collaboratively with other colleagues or services where appropriate.

    Specialty CPD (IP)

    • Able to formulate a suitable management plan for a patient presenting for a minor or urgent eye condition and conduct a follow-up where appropriate within the context of enhanced optometry services.

      Unit 1 - Enhanced Optometric Services Part 2 audio track (~28 min)