General Optical Council

Independent prescribing

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The independent prescribing specialty is open to optometrists only. Qualified independent prescribers will take responsibility for the clinical assessment of a patient, establish a diagnosis and determine the clinical management required, including prescribing where necessary.

Am I eligible to train?
Optometrists must have been practising in the UK for two full years before they are eligible to start training for the therapeutic specialty qualifications.

What does the training involve?
This section outlines the training requirements for optometrists wishing to become qualified as Independent Prescribers.  The training has three components, a theoretical course at a GOC approved institution, a clinical placement and a Therapeutics Common Final Assessment through the College of Optometrists.

Where can I train?
The following universities offer courses in Independent Prescribing:

City University, London
 
The Department of Optometry and Visual Science at City University has been providing modular postgraduate training in ocular therapeutics for over 13 years. The purpose of this training has been to provide the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to enable optometrists to manage ocular disease within the context of the legal and regulatory framework provided by the Opticians Act and relevant medicines legislation. Since 2005, City has run a modular GOC-accredited programme to prepare optometrists for specialist registration at additional supply level or as supplementary prescribers. An independent prescribing module was introduced in 2009.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Michelle Hennelly at m.hennelly@city.ac.uk. Website: http://www.city.ac.uk/optometry
 
Glasgow Caledonian University
  
This course is designed to provide optometrists with a broad education in prescribing practice and to enable practitioners to gain ‘Additional Supply’, Supplementary Prescriber’ or ‘Independent Prescriber’ accreditation.
 
Further information can be obtained by contacting: m.galloway5@gcal.ac.uk   Website: http://www.gcal.ac.uk/sls/Vision
 
Manchester/Aston Universities
  
This is a joint course offered by the University of Manchester and Aston University. The package is being designed to meet the requirements for Independent Prescribing. The course will be largely distance learning and therefore ideal for the busy optometrist who wishes to learn at their own pace. The course will be available later in 2009.
 
Further information can be obtained by contacting: OD@aston.co.uk or clare.odonnell@manchester.ac.uk   Websites: www.aston.ac.uk   www.manchester.ac.uk

Clinical Placement Requirements

The following lists the minimum time which must be spent in clinical placement for Independent Prescribing:

  • For those who have already qualified Additional Supply: A minimum of 14 sessions of not less than 3 hours (7 days) of  24 sessions of not less than 3 hours (12 days) 
  • For those who have already passed Additional Supply & Supplementary Prescribing Final Qualifying Exam: A minimum of 6 sessions of not less than 3 hours (3 days)  
  • For those who have no previous prescribing qualifications: A minimum

The period of practice-based learning should ensure that the optometrist: 

  • Is competent in the assessment, diagnosis and management of the ophthalmic conditions for which the optometrist intends to prescribe

  • Is able to recognise sight-threatening conditions that should be referred

  • Is able to consult effectively with patients

  • Is able to monitor the response to treatment, to review both the working diagnosis and to modify treatment or refer/ consult/ seek guidance as appropriate

  • Makes clinical decisions based on and with reference to the needs of the patient

  • Is aware of their own limitations and makes clinical decisions based on the needs of the patient

  • Critically analyses and evaluates his or her ongoing performance in relation to prescribing practice

Clinical training should be structured to ensure that each trainee is exposed to sufficient numbers of patients presenting with the conditions that he or she will manage therapeutically. In addition, the optometrist should be exposed to a range of ophthalmic conditions so as to develop differential diagnostic skills. Each optometrist should maintain a Logbook of Practice Evidence to verify that learning outcomes have been achieved.  

On successful completion of the requisite period of clinical practice optometrists may apply to sit the Common Final Assessment in Specialist Qualifications.  

Therapeutics Common Final Assessment
The IP Register will be launched on November 1st 2009

  • In order to Register as an Independent Prescribing specialist you will be asked to declare your intended area of practice e.g. glaucoma, primary care etc.

  • IP Specialist Registration must be renewed annually and you must be able to provide a record of your prescribing activity for each renewal. A copy of the suggested format of this record is enclosed.

Below are the forms required for IP Specialist Registration and IP Specialist Retention. There is also a verison of the IP Log Book which is to be used to provide a record of your prescribing activity for each renewal.

Inependent Prescribing Registration Form

Independent Prescribing Retention Form

Independent Prescribing Log Book Independent Prescribing Log Book

Will I  have to obtain CET points?  

In order to maintain GOC IP Registration, all registrants will be required to earn Specialist Therapuetics CET points. This requirement will start for Independent Prescribing at the start of the new cycle on 1st January 2010.

Where can I find out more?
More information on training in therapeutics and prescribing is available from the College of Optometrists's website.