Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) Modules
The three regions that are incorporated within the South East of England are:
- Kent, Surrey & Sussex (KSS)
- Oxford
- Wessex
Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) is a training programme for hospital-based ophthalmic nurses, optometrists and orthoptists who wish to develop skills in one or more of four sub-specialty areas:
Medical Retina, Glaucoma, Cataract and Emergency Ophthalmology.
The programme, a collaboration between the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Royal College of Nursing, College of Optometrists and British and Irish Orthoptic Society, offers a standardised and supportive platform for these Non Medical Eye Health Professionals to learn new clinical skills for the benefit of their patients.
For full details, please visit The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Why should I get involved?
Ophthalmology as a specialty is facing significant workforce pressures and Non medical eye health professionals taking on extended clinical roles is seen as an essential part of a wider strategy to improve our capacity to provide eye care and meet our patients’ needs. The qualifications acquired through OPT are recognised nationally and allow those Non medical eye health professionals already engaged in extended roles to have their skills recognised formally too.
How do I get started?
If you are considering signing up for the OPT program, please contact your Unit OPT Lead or departmental Clinical Lead to express your interest.
If your department is able to support your OPT enrolment, your Educational Supervisor and the Regional OPT Lead in the relevant specialty will sign the enrolment form to get you a formal training number from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists as well as your portfolio.
Even if your department is unable to support your application for OPT, please remember that you are warmly invited to attend the regional study days.
The Kent, Surrey, Sussex (KSS) OPT Team
Advanced Clinical Practice Lead for Ophthalmology:
Adam Bates adambates@nhs.net
Ophthalmic Practitioner Training Leads:
South- East Thames Regional OPT Lead
Liz Tomlin Liz.Tomlin@gstt.nhs.uk
South-West Thames Regional OPT lead
Alastair Porteous alastair.porteous@nhs.net
The Oxford OPT Team
Head of School:
Anna Meads anna.mead5@nhs.net
Ophthalmic Practitioner Training Lead:
Gurjeet Jutley Gurjeet.Jutley@ouh.nhs.uk
Wessex OPT Team
Training Programme Director:
Mr Alastair Lockwood alastairlockwood@googlemail.com
Ophthalmic Practitioner Training Lead:
Rashi Arorarashi.arora1@nhs.net
Regional Education Advisor:
Doreen Khanlim, Doreen.Khanlim@uhs.nhs.uk