News

National Eye Health Week June 2010

Optometry NI and the RNIB held a joint reception at Stormont to promote the importance of eye health and regular eye examinations. This was a National eye health week event, and MLA's heard about the prevalence of sight loss in Northern Ireland, and the opportunities for Optometrists and dispensing opticians to contribute to better eye care in Northern Ireland. The following PDF summarises Optometry NI's key points.

General News

Optometry NI continues to work hard for the benefit of optometrists and dispensing opticians in Northern Ireland. We are in consultation with the Department of Health working towards a new GOS contract. There has been a lot of positive comment regarding the benefits of an updated GOS contract, and while the bureacratic process is frustrating slow, but steady progress has been made.

Optometry NI has been lobbying politicans at the DUP and UUP party conferences. These have been successful and informative days and among other things, we have been able to set up a meeting with Jim Wells, the new Chairman of the Health committee.

Optometry NI has also been instrumental in setting up the Children's Eyecare Advisory group. this is a mulidisplinary gathering of all clinicans involved in childrens' eye care. A report from the chairman of this group, Fiona North, can be found in our annual newsletter.

The voluntary levy continues to gain support from optometric practices throughout Northern Ireland, and we would like to thank all of those who contribute. It is for the benefit of all optometrists in NI and we would encourage those that do not yet contribute to play their part in developing and advancing optometry in Northern Ireland.