Ministers attend launch of UK’s first integrated optometry and independent prescribing qualification at Glasgow Caledonian

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Decent welcomed two Scottish Government ministers to Glasgow Caledonian University to mark the launch of the UK's first integrated optometry and independent prescribing MOptom (IP) qualification.

Minister for Higher Education Graeme Dey and Public Health Minister Jenni Minto were on campus on Tuesday, September 24, to find out more about the new programme and meet the first cohort of students.

They were welcomed to the Glasgow campus by the Principal Professor Decent, Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences Professor Anita Simmers, and Head of the Department of Vision Sciences Professor Gunter Loffler, and given a tour of the Department of Vision Sciences and the Vision Centre.

Mr Dey and Ms Minto met staff and students while being shown the state-of-the-art simulation teaching equipment, teaching labs and imaging suite.

The launch of this new programme is the culmination of several years of planning and collaboration with NHS Education for Scotland (NES), who will provide support for students throughout their placement periods, and the Scottish Government. It is aligned with the Scottish Government's policy to provide increased community based eyecare and additional non-medical workforce within hospital eye services.

Mr Dey said: "It's exciting to see Scotland is ahead of the game when it comes to upskilling our optometry workforce and this new course will ensure they will have the right skills, knowledge and experience to meet future challenges.

"Graduates of this groundbreaking course will play an important role in establishing a wider range of community-based ophthalmic care. Patients will be able to be treated closer to home, helping to reduce the pressures on GPs and hospital waiting lists.

"I'm delighted that we're able to support Glasgow Caledonian University's new course. The Scottish Government continues to invest over £1 billion in university teaching and research."

Principal Decent said: "We are incredibly proud to be the first university in the UK, approved by the General Optical Council, to offer the most clinically advanced optometry programme in the UK and the only Optometry programme to date incorporating independent prescribing.

"We were delighted to welcome two very prominent Scottish ministers to our campus to meet our dedicated staff and students, and to thank the Scottish Government for its continued support."

Professor Simmers added: "The new programme benefits from the University's long-standing experience and excellence in delivering high quality eyecare education and our long-term partnership working with NES.

"It will provide an outstanding student experience and equip graduates with the skills that will allow them to provide the best possible eye-care to patients across all communities in Scotland."

Professor Loffler said it was fantastic that Mr Dey and Ms Minto took the time to visit the Department and Vision Centre to find out more about the new five-year MOptom (IP) course.

Professor Loffler added: "We see this new integrated qualification as an opportunity to equip graduates with the skills that will allow them to provide advanced eyecare to the benefit of patients in communities across Scotland."

Three students shared their experiences on the course so far and why they want a career in Optometry.

Farah Ahmed, 52, from Stirling, was so keen to get on the new course she gave up her own business to focus on a career in optometry and completed an intensive Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) in Vision Science at Kelvin College to qualify.

Farah said: "I've been really impressed by the professionalism of the staff and the eyecare technology that the University has invested in, especially the AI simulator in the imaging suite.

"I'm very much looking forward to completing my studies and getting out there into the community helping patients in Scotland and overseas, particularly in areas of deprivation."

Neve Whelan, 18, from Hamilton, loved science at school and was passionate about going into healthcare. It was only after attending a Glasgow Caledonian Open Day that her eyes were opened to a career in optometry. When she found out the University was offering the UK's first integrated optometry and independent prescribing MOptom (IP) qualification, met staff and saw the state-of-the-art teaching facilities, Neve decided to apply to train as an Optometrist. Before applying she got work experience in a hospital and two Optometry practices.

Neve said: "We've only just started the course but I'm loving it so far. The staff and students are great and the facilities are amazing. I'm really excited and proud to be part of the first course of its kind in the UK."

Arfah Ahmad, 17, originally from Aberdeen, has always wanted to work in optometry and did a year's work experience in an optical lab before applying for the course.

Arfah said: "I chose this course because giving people the ability to see, especially children and babies, is one of the best things I could ask for. I've very excited about this new programme. I am looking forward to a very rewarding and fulfilling career."

Photo (left to right) - Minister for Higher Education Graeme Dey, Glasgow Caledonian University's School of Health and Life Sciences' Dean Professor Anita Simmers, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Decent, Head of the Department of Vision Sciences Professor Gunter Loffler, new MOptom (IP) first year students Arfah Ahmad, Farah Ahmed and Neve Whelan, and Public Health Minister Jenni Minto, in the University's Vision Centre.