About Us

Optometry Scotland is a non-profit making organisation established to develop and represent the views of the entire Optometry sector of Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians and Optical Bodies Corporate to the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government Health Department and other relevant stakeholders.

Mission Statement & Objectives

Our aim is 'to develop, maintain and promote a world class eye health and primary eyecare service for the people of Scotland'.

We will achieve this aim by:

• Striving for the highest possible standards of professional competence and care within the optometric professions.
• Securing funding to enable Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians and their staff to provide high quality equitable services across Scotland and thereby:
• 1. equipping practices to the highest practical standards and
  2. enabling and encouraging ongoing training and personal development for Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians and their staff.
• Working towards the elimination of avoidable blindness through the early detection and appropriate management of eye disease, thereby complying with the VISION 2020 directive .
• Working with other relevant stakeholders, organisations, and the media, to raise awareness of the importance of regular eye examinations and extended specialist services provided within optometry practices.

History

Through extensive negotiations, meetings, lobbying and sheer will and determination, our previous Chairmen Frank Munro, Hal Rollason and Donald Cameron led the newly formed Optometry Scotland to the introduction of the new GOS eye examination in April 2006. The introduction of the new structure of fees and standards, heralded new levels of professional eyecare which are becoming the envy of the world and other professional health bodies who have learned from our experience and are now lobbying for funds. Our thanks to these pioneers of modern Optometry in Scotland.

Function

Optometry Scotland is now the first point of contact for all health officials and external bodies in Scotland and represents all other optical bodies in the Scottish region. We are the voice of the optical professions in Scotland and our objective is to preserve the integrity of the GOS contract. We will do this by lobbying for better support services, enhanced status for the Optometric and Dispensing professions and more funding for future fee increases.

Achievements To Date

• Negotiated two equipment Grants - £8,000 in 2006 and £10,000 for 2008
• Negotiated the £1 million training Grant - currently working on how best to manage this
• Achieved the listing of DOs in some Health Boards - currently working on achieving this throughout Scotland
• Setup the Scottish Eyecare Group, which involves leads from OS and Ophthalmology working together
• Established a working Group with PSD
• Established the OS Advisory Network Group

Priorities for This Year

• Developing an audit trail to prove beyond doubt the contracts worth
• Ensure that the training grant is used to enhance your ability to deliver the GOS contract
• DO listing throughout Scotland
• N3 Connection
• Further develop the relationship with Ophthalmology
• Lobbying MSPs
• Ensure that all Optometrists are delivering this 'world class service'

Council Members

To see details of the Optometry Scotland Council Members click here.