DOCET ACTIVITY AND EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2015

Transcription

1 DOCET ACTIVITY AND EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH Introduction 1.1 DOCET is a committee established by The College of Optometrists, at the request of the UK Health Departments. DOCET s aim is to improve the eye health and eye care of the population through the provision of high quality CET for all optometrists registered with the GOC in the UK. Full details of DOCET s history and development are provided for information at Appendix B of this report. 1.2 DOCET s programme of activity is made possible by shared funding from the four UK countries which is in proportion both to the numbers of optometrists within each country and the size of their general populations. This equates to the following approximate percentages: England 83%, Scotland 9%, Wales 6%, Northern Ireland 2%. 1.3 DOCET s provision ensures that all GOC-registered optometrists in all parts of the UK are provided with access to high quality, impartial and comprehensive continuing education and training resources, wherever they live and practice. 1.4 Since the introduction in 2002 of the GOC s mandatory CET scheme for optometrists, the focus of DOCET products has been on maintaining current entry level competence for optometrists, although the aims of DOCET are broad ranging enough to allow for other priorities to be identified. 1.5 Since the implementation of a new DOCET website in 2011, optometrists have been provided not only with regular newly published CET resources, but also with ongoing access in perpetuity to a comprehensive and expanding bank of past DOCET materials made freely available via the website. 1.6 DOCET s priorities and activities are agreed by all stakeholders who make up the DOCET Council, which meets twice a year. A smaller Executive Committee monitors progress and advises on activity on a more regular basis throughout the year. Page 1 of 21

2 2. Expenditure against allocation for the year 2.1 Table 1 (below) shows a summary of expenditure against priority areas discussed in this report. The total of 579,369 is the sum of the grants made by the four countries for This equates to a total sum of for each of the 14,350 optometrists currently registered with the GOC in the UK (GOC figures as at March 2015)*. As at 31 March 2015 the whole of the 579,369 has been committed to specific projects. Where projects span more than one financial year they are completed with part of the new year funding. 2.2 In the autumn of 2014 an additional sum of 120,000 funding was approved for England, and these funds are committed to specific activities as set out in the SLA agreed at that time and detailed in section 2.4 below. *Including this additional sum the total funding for the year is 699,369, making the total per registered UK optometrist The administration category is the administrative fee (mostly staff costs) paid by the programme to The College of Optometrists for managing and running the DOCET programme. Consultancy relates to the cost of training advisers who advise on and help direct the development of DOCET s projects, as well as specialist marketing and IT support. Table 1 DOCET Expenditure Report 2014/5 Activities Priority Ref Allocated Expenditure 31/03/15 Committed Funds CET events All 37,369 27,350 10,019 Distance learning projects Optometric Quarterly 65,000 65,000 0 Ageing Eye: Adapting the routine 55,000 55,000 0 Ageing Eye: Refractive Correction 65,000 65,000 0 Anterior Eye 50,000 41,000 9,000 Optometry and general health 50,000 43,000 7,000 Online learning development 50,000 25,000 25,000 Admin & Meetings 85,000 85,000 0 Consultancy 60,000 60,000 0 Print, Mailing, Marketing & Comms 62,000 62, , ,350 51,029 DOCET Funding Breakdown 2014/15 England 83% 477,589 Scotland 9% 53,000 Wales 6% 36,180 NI 2% 12, ,369 Page 2 of 21

3 2.4 During an additional 120,000 of funding was approved and received from England, and these funds were committed to the following ongoing projects: Advances in contact lenses (distance learning project) 90,000 Online learning development (LMS implementation) 30,000 See section 4 below for more details of progress on these and other projects. 3. Administrative issues Risk and Governance 3.1 DOCET funds are maintained as a restricted fund of the College of Optometrists and high level risks pertaining to DOCET activity are identified and addressed as part of the College s three-year Strategic Plan. Individual project-related risks and issues are managed and monitored as part of the work of DOCET s Executive Committee, reporting to DOCET Council. DOCET Committees 3.2 Under its Terms of Reference the DOCET Council meets twice yearly whilst the Executive Committee meets approximately six to eight times per year. The requisite elections and nominations have been made during the past year. Strategy, Activity and Priorities 3.3 The General Optical Council (GOC) introduced significant changes to its Principles and Requirements at the start of the current three-year compulsory CET cycle for Entitled Enhanced CET, this saw the introduction of more stringent criteria governing the amounts and types of continuing education and training that optometrists are expected to undertake. It included the introduction of compulsory participation in various forms of interactive CET, including peer discussion activity. DOCET responded positively and as rapidly as possible to the considerable challenges arising from these changes, adopting a creative and practical approach to the need to provide interactive distance learning, ensuring that its provision properly met GOC requirements. It now offers a range of interactive CET materials which include discussion exercises for optometrists which are reviewed by DOCET s Training Advisers with appropriate feedback given. 3.4 At its June 2014 meeting, DOCET Council approved a plan for activity for the twoyear period to Spring Although DOCET s funding is only approved year by year, in order to ensure a level of continuity for users and given the length of project development time generally required to produce DOCET materials, it is necessary to Page 3 of 21

4 plan projects at least a couple of years in advance. The agreed activity plan included a number of new distance learning projects, several of which have now been completed or are in varying stages of production. Full details of distance learning projects undertaken in are provided in section 4 of this report. Website 3.5 Following a period of discussion by the Executive Committee, in June 2014 DOCET Council approved a proposal to begin work on implementing a new learning management system for DOCET. This development was agreed as a priority activity for DOCET to help facilitate an improved service for users of DOCET online distance learning as well as enabling more efficient administration, particularly in light of the additional requirements of interactive CET. 3.6 With the assistance of specialist expertise, and after a thorough process of project scoping, a formal tender process was undertaken, resulting in the recent appointment of a learning management system provider, Learning Pool, with whom DOCET is now working to design, develop and implement a new LMS. Some funds set aside for this project in will be carried over to enable the ongoing work to be completed in , with a possible requirement for some additional budget allocation from the new year s funding. 3.7 During the critical final months of the current CET cycle (up to December 2015), many optometrists will be requiring additional CET points to ensure they meet GOC requirements. In order to minimise any risk of disruption to service, DOCET Executive Committee have approved a recommended project approach that ensures that, whilst the design and development phases are undertaken within a relatively short timescale, the new system is not made fully live until the beginning of January 2016, with the start of the new GOC CET cycle. The time between completion of the system design and launch will be used to ensure full content population and thorough user testing/piloting of the new system before it goes live. Peer Discussion 3.8 Having initiated a new bank of free peer discussion case materials during the previous year, in DOCET produced a number of new cases covering a range of topics and competencies, with downloadable materials to watch, listen to and read, suggested learning objectives and full guidance on facilitating the discussion, and related documents such as patient case records. 3.9 New case materials included topics such as examining patients with dementia, assessment and management of various acute eye conditions, and some cases relating to appropriate management of flashes and floaters. It is intended that more new peer discussion case materials will be created over time, primarily from creative Page 4 of 21

5 reuse of existing audio-visual DOCET materials. Details of peer discussion case material production are provided in section 4 of this report. Marketing and Communications 3.10 During , with the approval of DOCET Council, DOCET began working with a specialist marketing and communications adviser, to help promote awareness and usage of DOCET learning materials more effectively and consistently than has been previously possible within the limitations of regular DOCET manpower. The main priorities for communications activity have been to promote overall awareness and use of online DOCET training materials and to increase the take up and geographical spread of the local event funding available Work has already been done to improve DOCET s use of alerts, press releases and other forms of communication such as newsletter and magazine articles. DOCET staff attended two key optometric conferences during the year the National Optometric Conference run by the Association of Optometrists and LOCSU, and Optometry Tomorrow run by the College of Optometrists. Attendance at these events is seen as an important way of raising DOCET s profile amongst optometrists and promoting what DOCET provides DOCET also undertook an online survey of optometrists during the winter of , the results of which are being analysed in order to help inform future activity. A new marketing and communication plan, including a focus on engagement with employer groups to raise their awareness of DOCET provision, is being finalised for to take this improved marketing and communications work forward. CET event funding 3.13 A proportion of DOCET s funding is set aside each year to help support locally organised CET events such as conferences, lectures and workshops. DOCET contributed the following sums for locally organised CET events during , shown by region where the events took place (with a further 10 events to be supported with additional committed funds): Region No. events supported Total DOCET funds contributed England 19 16,650 Scotland 3 2,579 Wales 1 1,350 N Ireland 7 6,771 Total: 30 27, Overall, take up of DOCET event funding increased steadily during , but slowed somewhat in This was discussed at DOCET Council in December Page 5 of 21

6 2014 and from those discussions and other anecdotal evidence it appears to mirror the experience of other CET providers during this mid-cycle period. The picture is still generally much improved compared to pre-2013/14 and, as a result of marketing and communications efforts, more applications and claims are now being received from organisations across the UK who had not previously taken up this funding. This is encouraging and DOCET aims to continue to increase take up and geographical spread of the funding in the coming year, especially approaching the end of the current CET cycle. 4 Evaluation of activities related to priority areas 4.1 DOCET Council s agreed list of priority topics for potential development as audiovisual distance learning projects in the period 2014/16 were as follows (in no particular order): Advances in contact lenses Binocular vision Management of chronic anterior eye problems Optometry and general health and lifestyle issues (smoking, diet, obesity, UV/light, driving) The ageing eye The young eye/children s vision Project development activity and publications during 2014/15 reflected this priority list. (See below sections 4a Summary and 4b Detailed overview). 4.2 As a result of its recent activities and project development DOCET has, throughout the year, been able to offer optometrists around CET points covering all the required Stage 2 competencies, via the DOCET website. This is in addition to the bank of past training materials made freely available to optometrists via the Archive area of the website. 4a) Summary of DOCET projects and other activity Projects completed and issued: Video The Ageing Eye (Part 1: Assessment) Communication and the Older Patient (June 2014) The Ageing Eye (Part 1: Assessment) Charles Bonnet Syndrome (July 2014) Page 6 of 21

7 The Ageing Eye (Part 1: Assessment) Physiology and Pathology Systemic (Sept 2014) The Ageing Eye (Part 1: Assessment) Vision and Falls (October 2014) The Ageing Eye (Part 1: Assessment) A day in the life (November 2014) Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults fully updated Level 2 modules (Jan/Mar 2015) Other: Vision in the Real World (Visual task analysis) Reissued (September 2014) See More: Dementia and optometry Reissued (November 2014) Optometry and Ethnicity Reissued (February 2015) Binocular Vision Reissue (including new management section) (Feb 2015) Peer discussion case materials New cases published on acute presentation, flashes & floaters, and dementia Audio: OQ90(June 2014) inc: Dua s layer the sixth corneal layer, Advances in fields assessments, and ophthalmic agents in cosmetics OQ91 (September 2014) inc: avoiding problems of anisometropia with intraocular lenses, hazards of short wavelength, and dermatological considerations in optometry. OQ92 (December 2014) inc: Retinal influence on circadian rhythms, an update on the impact of diabetes, and developing techniques in diabetes screening and management. OQ93(March 2015) inc: in-practice DNA screening, digital eye strain, and developments in cinema technology for visually impaired audiences Each edition of OQ also includes a review of current academic journal articles. Projects commissioned and/or in development: The Ageing Eye (Part 1: Assessment) Adapting the Routine: Domiciliary eyecare The Ageing Eye (Part 1: Assessment) Adapting the Routine: Community practice The Ageing Eye (Part 2: Management) Refractive Correction Open your eyes: a closer look at common ocular hazards and health issues Anterior eye (companion programme to the previous publication Acute Presentation ) Advances in contact lenses (introductory module) Optometric Quarterly issue 94 (Referrals special edition) Peer discussion case materials - new cases planned on topics including the ageing eye, binocular vision, optometry and ethnicity. Page 7 of 21

8 Planned reissues: Clinical Decision Making reissue (Planned Spring 2015) Flashes and Floaters reissue (Planned Spring 2015) The Ageing Eye: Physiology and Pathology Ocular reissue (Planned Spring 2015) 4b) Detailed overview of DOCET projects and activity during Audio distance learning projects Optometric Quarterly (OQ) Each edition of this quarterly audio programme covers a range of topics linked to the priority areas and/or of current interest in the optometric field, as well as a regular quarterly review feature discussing relevant current academic studies and papers. Listeners can suggest OQ topics and send feedback via linked online surveys. Topics covered within editions of OQ published during the year April 2014 to March 2015 have included: Dua s layer the sixth corneal layer Advances in fields assessments Ophthalmic agents in cosmetics Problems of anisometropia with intraocular lenses Hazards of short wavelength Dermatological considerations in optometry. Retinal influence on circadian rhythms Diabetes and optometry In-practice DNA screening Digital eye strain Developments in cinema technology for visually impaired audiences OQ production is a rolling process and production is now at an advanced stage for an extended edition due for publication in June 2015 focusing on referrals. OQ is being rebranded and re-launched from the June edition as Advances in eyecare. The new title aims to more clearly and accurately reflect the nature of the content of this regular production. Topic identification for further future editions is underway including planned coverage of low vision issues such as nystagmus, eccentric vision loss and low vision comorbidities, the ocular effects of common club drugs, and the latest techniques for the examination of the peripheral retina. Video distance learning projects The Ageing Eye Page 8 of 21

9 The DOCET Product: DOCET identified the understanding, assessment and management of the ageing eye as a priority training area for optometrists. Due to an ageing population optometrists are dealing with an increasing number of age-related conditions affecting the eye directly or as part of systemic conditions. To give the best advice and recommendations to a patient, an optometrist needs to understand a wide range of conditions and challenges that face the elderly. In order to effectively cover this wide ranging topic area, DOCET proposed treating this as an over-arching umbrella series, divided into two main parts Part 1: Assessment, and Part 2: Management - each part comprising a number of different modules on specific topics. Due to the nature of the topic, there are more modules in Part 1 than in Part 2. The Ageing Eye Part 1 Assessment includes the following modules: Physiology and pathology: Ocular Physiology and pathology: Systemic Communication and the older patient Charles Bonnet syndrome A Day in the life...: vision in everyday life Vision and falls Adapting the routine: Domiciliary eyecare Adapting the routine: Community practice Physiology and Pathology: Ocular Completed in and issued in April 2014, as detailed in the year-end report for Physiology and Pathology: Systemic This module was commissioned with The Edge Picture Company. Content summary: To improve optometrists understanding of normal age-related changes in the body and to be able to identify and manage common ocular conditions associated with systemic diseases in the elderly. Different types of systemic conditions are considered, including the ocular effects of medications regularly encountered with older patients. Changes in general physiology in the ageing patient Systemic conditions with ocular effects such as: Hypertension Heart disease Stroke Diabetes Smoking related disease Malignant disease Arthropathies Page 9 of 21

10 Parkinson s disease Dementia and Alzheimer s Progress: The module was completed and issued in September 2014, with 2 interactive CET points approved by the GOC. Points awarded on successful completion of MCQs and interactive discussion exercise. Communication and the Older Patient This module was commissioned with Radical Departures. Content Summary: To improve and develop communication skills with elderly patients. This module provides guidance on the challenges in communication that optometrists may face when dealing with older patients. Language, paralanguage (i.e. tone, non patronising etc), body language, nonstereotyping of elderly etc Key parts of eye examination - history & symptoms, clinical examination, summary and advice Considerations and adaptations for common challenges with elderly e.g. hearing loss, dementia, vague patient, recency effect, explaining visual loss etc Progress: The module was completed and published in June 2014 with 3 interactive CET points approved by the GOC. Points awarded on successful completion of MCQs and interactive discussion exercise. During the production of this module it was decided that an additional, separate programme expanding on the topic of Charles Bonnet syndrome should be produced see below: Charles Bonnet Syndrome This module was commissioned with Radical Departures. Content summary This module aims to introduce optometrists to this rare condition in patients with sight loss. Dr Dominic ffytche Clinical Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, provides a comprehensive overview based on the latest research. Includes advice on identifying the condition, addressing the topic with patients, appropriate management steps and what can be done to help sufferers. Content includes: An introduction to Charles Bonnet Syndrome Demographics Guidance on how to recognise it How to communicate with patients Management Page 10 of 21

11 Progress: The module was completed and issued in July 2014 with 2 interactive CET points approved by the GOC. Points awarded on successful completion of an interactive discussion exercise. A Day in the Life... This module was commissioned with Radical Departures. Content summary To understand the impact of reduction in vision on the everyday lives of elderly patients. This module aims to show optometrists the challenges older patients with common eye conditions, such as AMD, glaucoma and cataracts, face in their everyday lives. The programme is divided into three chapters (morning, late morning/lunchtime, afternoon/evening), following a typical day in the lives of two elderly patients with different types of eye conditions. The programme focuses on the types of daily activities patients may engage in and addresses some of the specific issues experienced. Includes expert contributions on areas including: Mobility and falls Food and nutrition Social impacts of visual loss Lighting and home adaptations (the programme includes a clear guide to the different sorts of light bulbs that optometrists can recommend to their patients) Progress: The module was completed and issued in November 2014 with 3 interactive CET points approved by the GOC. Points awarded on successful completion an interactive discussion exercise. During the production of this module it was decided that an additional, separate programme expanding on the topic of vision and falls should be produced see below. Vision and Falls This module was commissioned with Radical Departures. Content summary This module explores how visual impairment can be a significant risk factor in falls in older people and the role of the optometrist in their prevention. Professor David Elliott, Professor of Vision Science at the University of Bradford, provides a detailed overview of the latest research into the links between vision and falls, including the assessment of risk, dealing with changes in prescription, and referring patients with low vision. Content includes: Research on falls Changes in prescription Multifocals Monovision contact lenses Cataract surgery Referrals Page 11 of 21

12 Progress: The module was completed and issued in October 2014 with 2 interactive CET points approved by the GOC. Points awarded on successful completion of an interactive discussion exercise. Adapting the routine This module was commissioned with Cheerful Scout. During the process of project development, and following discussion by the Executive Committee, the decision was taken to divide this into two separate modules, one dealing with adaptations for domiciliary eyecare, and the other dealing with adaptations in community high street practice. This ensures that the required content can be fully covered in each case. Adapting the routine: Domiciliary Eyecare Content Summary This module is designed to improve optometrists understanding of how to adapt their routine eye examination when assessing elderly patients either in a care home setting or in the patient s own home. Includes: Advice on appropriate legal and contractual requirements, and relevant guidance that domiciliary optometrists need to be familiar with How to carry out an effective domiciliary visit including modifications and techniques to consider Communication and technical modifications to consider during an eye examination with an elderly patient How eye examination results may differ for elderly patients Progress: The domiciliary module is in the final stages of production and scheduled for May 2015 publication. Adapting the routine: Community practice Content Summary This module is designed to improve optometrists understanding of how to adapt their routine eye examination when assessing the elderly in a normal high street, community practice. It is designed as a companion to the domiciliary eye care programme. Progress: This module is currently in production with further work to be scheduled to complete it during 2015, with a planned publication date of Autumn/Winter The Ageing Eye Part 2 Management includes the following modules: Refractive Correction Low vision (including interdisciplinary considerations) Page 12 of 21

13 Refractive Correction This module has been commissioned with Radical Departures. Content Summary To enable optometrists to understand the options for refractive correction and management of the older patient. Includes the following key areas: Spectacle frames and lenses Contact lenses for presbyopes Intra-ocular lenses Refractive surgery for presbyopes Progress: This module is currently in production and scheduled for Autumn 2015 publication. It is planned that the final module in the ageing eye series on the topic of low vision - will begin development in Anterior Eye This module has been commissioned with Radical Departures. The DOCET Product: DOCET has identified the management of patients presenting with chronic or non-sight threatening anterior eye conditions as a priority training area for optometrists. These are conditions where the patient may have longstanding or less serious anterior eye issues that should be able to be dealt with successfully by optometrists in community practice. We aim to improve the quality of advice given to patients presenting with these conditions and reduce unnecessary referrals to secondary care. Where it is appropriate we want to include treatment and management options for independent prescribing optometrists. Content summary: It is intended that the programme that the programme will follow a similar format and style as the previously produced DOCET Acute Presentation programme. Anterior Eye will aim to improve optometrists understanding of how to differentiate between non-urgent and sight threatening anterior eye conditions. The sections and conditions covered include the following: Eyelid disorders Blepharitis Hordoleum Chalazion Molluscum contagiosum Ectropian Entropian Tear film disorders Page 13 of 21

14 Tear film deficiency Meibomian gland dysfunction Conjunctiva disorders Conjunctivitis Bacterial (including Chlamydia) Viral Allergic (acute/sac/pac/vck) Sub-conjunctival haemorrhage Pingueculea Pterygium Episcleritis Cornea disorders Corneal abrasions Recurrent corneal erosions Foreign bodies For each condition the programme will include sections on: o Presentation (signs & symptoms) o Look for (investigation) o Differential diagnosis o Management for all optometrists and IP optometrists o Further clinical management o Red Flag symptoms o References Progress This project is in development with a planned publication date of Autumn Open your eyes: a closer look at common ocular hazards and health issues This module has been commissioned with Open Creative Communications The DOCET product: DOCET has identified the understanding of lifestyle and general health issues, and their impact on eye health, as a priority training area. This programme aims to improve optometrists understanding of some key health and lifestyle issues that they will commonly encounter in everyday practice, including expert advice on their relevance to eye health and communication about these topics with patients. Content Summary: Smoking highlights known significant dangers, compliance and cessation, ages when people start/get addicted, advice, fear factor re: sight loss UV/light melanomas, screens, radiation from household devices, low energy light bulbs, lighting generally, lack of light deficiency/ rickets (link with nutrition) Page 14 of 21

15 Diet nutrition, omega 3, vitamin A, vitamin combinations (impacts), touches on obesity, exercise/activity levels. Driving standards required and how to deal with patients with inadequate vision Progress: This project is in production, with a planned publication date of Autumn Advances in contact lenses The DOCET product: DOCET has identified an update on contact lens best practice as a priority training area for optometrists. Due to rapid developments in technology and design, contact lens products are continually changing, but much of the information and training available to optometrists in this area has a commercial bias of some sort. To give the best advice and recommendations to a patient, an optometrist needs to understand a wide range of lenses and solutions and how to best manage contact lens patients in the context of modern lifestyles. It is intended that the programme content should cover the following key areas: New materials/changes in materials (soft & RGP) Common CL complications found in today s contact lens wearers (eg. dry eye, allergy) New lens designs for astigmatism/presbyopia Contact lenses for irregular corneas (eg keratoconic, refractive surgery) Overnight wear Contact lens solutions OrthoK Following initial work to scope this project as a single, standalone programme, the decision was taken that, in order to fully and effectively cover this wide ranging topic area, it should be dealt with as a series of several modules, starting with an introductory module exploring the basic routine. Further future modules will then deal with specific types of patients and conditions that may be encountered and these further modules are in the process of being scoped in detail for discussion with DOCET Council in Contact lenses module 1: Basic Routine This module has been commissioned with Cheerful Scout. Content Summary: This module will look at the latest recommended techniques for contact lens assessment and fitting and the aftercare of the patient in order to achieve a successful outcome. It is intended to use the latest slit lamp camera techniques and expert input to clearly capture the assessment routines from an optometrist s viewpoint and help demonstrate best practice. Page 15 of 21

16 Progress: This module is in early production stages with a planned publication date of Autumn Other video/multimedia resources Peer discussion video case file materials The DOCET product: DOCET has produced a series of case studies for use in peer discussion and peer review, as there is a great and increasing demand for case study materials amongst optometrists. DOCET has so far produced 23 different cases, 9 in the 2014/15 period. More cases will be added to regularly over time. Content summary: The majority of cases make use of existing footage from DOCET programmes, which have been edited to provide short 4-5 minute optometrist/patient consultation scenarios, which may be streamed or downloaded from the DOCET website. Comprehensive downloadable facilitator notes are provided taking a facilitator step-by-step through possible discussion points, learning objectives, reference sources, etc. Patient case records are also provided. Case studies published this year include four in flashes and floaters, three in Acute Presentation and two in Dementia. Progress DOCET s peer discussion case materials are regularly published in the Peer Discussion section of the website. Video reissues/updates in Binocular Vision (with a brand new management section including patient case study examples and value of a variety of binocular anomalies) See More: Dementia and Optometry Vision in the Real World: Visual task analysis Optometry and Ethnicity Planned updates/reissues for Spring 2015 include the Ageing Eye: Physiology & Pathology Ocular and Flashes and Floaters programmes. Other E-learning Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults (non-interactive CET) DOCET developed and published an e-learning module in safeguarding children (Level 1) in 2011, to ensure that training in this important topic was made available to optometrists across the UK. This development was supported by other optical bodies including The Page 16 of 21

17 College of Optometrists, LOCSU and the Optical Confederation. CET points for the training were approved by the GOC. In 2012, a further module dealing with safeguarding adults was developed and published by DOCET. Again, CET points were approved by the GOC. Changes to vetting and barring legislation in resulted in the necessary development of revised inter-collegiate and Optical Confederation guidance on safeguarding for optometrists. The new guidance was issued in August/September 2014 and DOCET responded by revising and updating both its safeguarding modules to meet the new recommendations and requirements. This included raising the overall training level to Level 2/Core. Both the revised safeguarding modules are now available online to all fully qualified optometrists. Occupational Optometry Following a full review of the content and structure of this e-learning package, the decision was taken by DOCET Executive Committee that this training should be closed. It was confirmed that the training modules were outdated and that related topics were now being covered more effectively as part of other, more up-to-date DOCET training. It was agreed that the ongoing running costs of providing the training could not therefore be justified. Occupational Optometry was closed on 31 August Page 17 of 21

18 Appendix A Summary of DOCET projects and other activity in preceding years and Projects completed and issued: Video Other: Audio: Vision in the Real World: Visual Task Analysis (April 2013) Clinical Decision Making (May 2013) Flashes & Floaters (September 2013) Peer to Peer: Facilitation skills (October 2013) Acute Presentation (November 2013) The Ageing Eye (Part 1: Assessment) Module 1: Physiology & Pathology Ocular (April 2014) Glaucoma reissue (July 2013) Developing Clinical Skills reissue (October 2013) Peer discussion case studies (first set 14 cases) (October 2013) OQ86 (June 2013) inc: treating diabetic maculopathy with Lucentis, Child Vision Screening, optometric ipad app review OQ87 (September 2013) inc: epiretinal membrane, ocular side effects of Tamoxifen, AREDS2 (age related eye disease study) OQ88 (December 2013) inc: retinal densitometry, fundus autofluorescence, measuring visual acuity OQ89 (March 2014) inc: fluorescein use in practice, pre-school eye health assessment, global blindness research Each edition of OQ also includes a review of current academic journals. Page 18 of 21

19 Projects commissioned and/or in development: The Ageing Eye (Part 1: Assessment) Module 2: Physiology & Pathology - Systemic The Ageing Eye (Part 1: Assessment) Module 3: Challenges in communication The Ageing Eye (Part 1: Assessment) Module 4: Vision in everyday life A day in the life... Optometric Quarterly edition 90 and further future editions 2012/13: Projects completed and issued Video: Glaucoma (April 2012) Hygiene, Infection Control and Waste Disposal (Oct 2012) Developing Clinical Skills - updated online-only reissue (Oct 2012) Audio: OQ82 (June 2012) inc: tear ferning, retinal vein occlusion, the ISNT rule OQ83 (September 2012) focused on peer review and peer discussion OQ84 (December 2012) inc: normal tension glaucoma & smoking and eye health OQ85 (March 2013) inc: migraine, papilloedema, childhood brain tumour Each edition of OQ also includes a review of current academic journals. E-learning: Safeguarding Adults (October 2012) Projects commissioned and/or in development: Vision in the Real World: Visual Task Analysis (video) Clinical Decision Making (video) Flashes and Floaters (video) Acute Presentation (interactive) Optometric Quarterly editions 85 to 88 (audio) Page 19 of 21

20 DOCET history Appendix B The Directorate of Optometric Continuing Education and Training (DOCET) came into being in 1989 following discussion between the Department of Health and the then British College of Optometrists, over proposals for the administration of funds that had been earmarked for postgraduate education and training within the General Ophthalmic Service. Why was DOCET required? At the time of DOCET s establishment the provision and quality of continuing education and training for optometrists was perceived to be inconsistent across the UK, and CET was not yet compulsory (the GOC s mandatory CET scheme for registered optometrists came into force in 2005). In the College of Optometrists 1987 Annual Report, it is stated that the College s Council (then its Governing Body) saw it as an ideal that every Fellow and Member should complete a requirement in terms of continuing education as a condition of College membership, accepting that this ideal is not immediately attainable. In the same Report there is a reminder that the College had taken over from the now defunct JAB (Joint Assessment Board) the arrangements for Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS) 'Refresher Courses' although the amount was apparently limited and only 12 such courses were held during the year. In a letter and proposal for the establishment of DOCET, sent to the College in April 1989, the DH stated that existing arrangements for the provision of CET, admirable as they are in very many ways, are uncoordinated and made piecemeal and so cannot on their own be expected to achieve the essential aims. Those aims as set out in the proposal correspond closely to those still set out in DOCET s constitution today. Establishment of DOCET In the College's 1989 Annual Report it was announced that the Department of Health had indicated that it would make available the sum of 100K for Continuing Education in England and had expressed the hope that the College would be able to play a greater part in planning how this money should be spent and its disbursement by identifying areas of particular need, ensuring that Continuing Education reaches all practitioners, and examining different delivery methods. The report expressed the hope that it would be possible to include Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland in the plans. In its April 1989 letter and proposal to the College, the Department of Health noted we have concluded that it would be desirable for such funding to be coordinated and channelled through one central body. It seems to us convenient that this should be set up under the auspices of the British College of Optometrists. The proposal went on to say that funds made available under Section 63 should be used by DOCET to finance all forms of CET provided that the topics covered are relevant to primary health care services within the NHS. Page 20 of 21

21 Notes of a meeting held between the DH and the College on 27 September 1989 to follow up on the proposal referred to above, which had been circulated to interested bodies, state that the DH received responses from the AOP, FODO and ABDO, who had all asked for parity of representation with the College on DOCET. It was agreed at the meeting on 27 September that the College would have 4 representatives, and the AOP and FODO would have 2 representatives each, and that ABDO and BUCO should be invited as observers. At the meeting it was agreed that the responsibility of running DOCET and continuing education for the profession was being delegated by the Department to the College and that DOCET would be an advisory and supervisory body. It was noted that the Department hopes that the establishment of DOCET will assist the College in meeting the needs of optometrists for CET. The meeting also suggested a draft constitution (terms of reference) for DOCET. The establishment of DOCET at the request of the Department of Health was announced in the College s 1990 Annual Report as coming into operation on 1 April 1990 with the purpose of coordinating and administering all aspects of continuing education and training for the profession. It was also announced that the Departments of Health in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland had agreed to contribute to the DOCET budget to cover the costs of the continuing education programme for optometrists resident in those countries. The first DOCET committee was comprised of four members of the College's CET Working Party together with representatives from the AOP, FODO and BUCO (now the OSC) plus representatives of the Departments of Health in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. DOCET's Terms of Reference are to ensure that funds developed under section 63 of the Act are used towards maintaining and improving the quality of services optometrists provide to the public, both within and outside general optometric services; ensuring that optometrists keep up to date with technological and scientific advances relevant to their services and to the public's needs; and assisting optometrists in acquiring the additional skills necessary to the development of eye care services. DOCET development DOCET s constitution and operation was reviewed in 1997 and again in 2010 with a view to ensuring that its aims and terms of reference remained current and valid. However its core aims and membership have remained essentially the same from its establishment to the present day. Through the meetings of DOCET Council and the work of the Executive Committee, training advisers and administrative staff, DOCET has sought to ensure that its activities respond to the changing needs of optometrists practicing in the UK and that it maintains the highest standards of quality, impartiality and relevance in the CET it provides or supports. Page 21 of 21