News

URGENT ONI UPDATE … COVID-19 I had wanted to update you on all the recent work of ONI but unfortunately COVID-19 has taken over.  This is potentially the most difficult time we have ever faced in [...]

The Annual General Meeting of Optometry Northern Ireland took place in the Stormont Hotel on Wednesday 29 May 2019. Please click on following link for copy of Minutes Annual General Meeting 2019 [...]

Further to his presentation at our AGM, please see below some information from Professor Augusto Azuara Blanco regarding this research. CHAMP UK_mopia research trial_Optometry letter_March 2019

ONI are delighted to announce that prior to our AGM, Professor Augusto Azuara-Blanco will speak for 20 minutes on an exciting  project which has started in Northern Ireland. Professor Azuara [...]

  The Annual General Meeting of Optometry Northern Ireland will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 29 May at the Stormont Hotel.  Refreshments will be available from 7.00pm onwards. This year [...]

It is great to see that so many of our members are now set up to view Northern Ireland Electronic Care Record (NIECR).  Following Practice training delivered last year, ONI would like to draw [...]

Department announces new regional centres for cataracts and varicose veins   An important landmark in the reorganisation of NI hospital services has today been reached, with the announcement [...]

LOCAL ENHANCED SERVICES: Glaucoma Care Pathway  In March 2018 the health and Social Care Board issued a Glaucoma Care Pathway update to all GOS contractor practices, and individual optometrists [...]

The number of Optometry practices using CCG to generate electronic referrals direct to secondary care Health and Social Care Trusts continues to increase. As of the end of April 2018, 219 GOS [...]

                                                    The Annual [...]

NI PEARS – For Attention of Optometric Contractors in Belfast and the Western LCGs The HSCB has secured funding to provide MECS training and assessment through the Ulster University to [...]

The PHA (Public Health Agency) who commission the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme [DESP] service in Northern Ireland are reviewing the provision of DESP in NI and are currently exploring various [...]

The AOP are asking members to “get behind the wheel” in their latest “Don’t Swerve a Sight Test” campaign. Next week is Road Safety Awareness Week – [...]

On Monday 22 May Dr Karen Breslin (Chair) opened the Annual General Meeting of Optometry Northern Ireland at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.  Following her welcome, she delivered her [...]

LES II Accredited Optometrists – practice locations of current LES II (Enhanced Case Finding for Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension) Accredited Optometrists. As more optometrists successfully [...]

HSCB training sessions for CCG eReferral for Optometry will take place on: Tuesday 16th May 9.30am – 11.am and 11.30am – 1.00pm Monday 22nd May 1.30pm – 3.00pm and 3.30pm to 5.00pm There is [...]

I have been asked by HSCB to ask all practices that have received letters from HSCB regarding HSCNI email accounts to please action the letter and activate their email accounts urgently as HSCB [...]

The AGM of ONI will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 22 May 2017 at the Stormont Hotel.  Come along and hear about developments in SPEARS, OCS, E referrals and glaucoma pathway.  Agenda items [...]

Look out for our new posters on buses, billboards and social media.  Please feel free to copy, like and share.  Get tweeting!

2 February 2017 The public, patients, clinicians and providers are being asked to help shape new standards that will determine the way eye surgery to correct vision errors is delivered in the UK. [...]

To date 114 practices have been enabled for use of eReferral and were contacted by email during November 2016. As of last week just over 50 of those 114 practices had actually used the eReferral [...]

When this survey was last completed by the Department of Health in 2013,  the response from the profession was really remarkable.  The survey has been running again since 16 January and the [...]

Did you know that the Association of Optometric Practitioners and College of Optometrists run a joint benevolent fund? The Benevolent Fund of the College of Optometrists and the Association of [...]

  Currently 80% of macular referrals sent to electronic triage are false positives. ONI encourage practitioners to use the macular form to help triage.

Developing Eyecare Partnerships (DEP) Task Group 4 have recently completed a piece of work to develop a chapter for the Northern Ireland Formulary on Dry Eye preparations and information in [...]

Sometimes, some of us take it for granted that a patient has an idea of what is going to happen during the examination. This is a great video which dispels some of the mystery of what happens in [...]

RNIB is embarking on an exciting three-year partnership with Specsavers. Together, both RNIB and Specsavers want to transform eye health in the UK by encouraging everyone to look after their eyes [...]

More than 15,000 members of the College of Optometrists will benefit from a fee freeze for a seventh consecutive year. During this time the membership offering has increased considerably, with [...]

Following the  recent  ‘Honey Rose’ legal case the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust Paediatric Ophthalmology Guidance can be found at  http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/2699.htm  

We would like to draw your attention to this document which has be sent out for consultation and feedback.  Please take a moment to have a look through and think about how the proposed changes [...]

Great to see so much interest at our recent ONI AGM. Lovely to hear from Mr Alan Tinger from LOCSU who presented on the Foresight Report and Mr Raymond Curran, Head of Ophthalmic Services who [...]

  Thank you to everyone who completed and returned their QA return.  The high response rate gives a clear picture of any trends in this area, in practices throughout Northern Ireland. Thank [...]

Further to the introduction of the first Optometry Local Enhanced Service (LES) the Health and Social Care Board wish to advise you that an additional two assessment sessions have been agreed [...]

Another useful meeting today when ONI Council Members Jill Campbell and William Stockdale met with Raymond Curran (Head of Ophthalmic Services, Directorate of Integrated Care), Margaret McMullan [...]

Look out for your new Optometry Handbook which is currently being issued to all practices.  A wealth of useful information, in easy to access format – it is envisaged that this will be used [...]

Just a reminder that all QA returns need to be submitted by Monday 9th May.  Thank you for your support regarding this.

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Optometry Northern Ireland (formerly the Negotiating Committee) will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 16 May 2016 at the Stormont Hotel. [...]

We would like to draw member’s attention to a few changes which will take effect from April onwards. 1. Need to record patient consent on records for additional tests i.e. verbal consent [...]

An advertisement will appear shortly for three new glaucoma COSI positions to work at The Shankill Health and Wellbeing Centre. There will be 2 sessions (ie one full day) per position. Applicants [...]

Strangford MP Jim Shannon took time out to visit Telford Opticians recently to learn about all the services that a community optometrist can provide.  Mr Shannon sits on the all party [...]

Smokers are four times more likely to suffer sight loss as a result of macular degeneration. There will be an hour long session on Monday 20th June on Brief Intervention Training on Smoking [...]

This year we will be seeking nominations for new council members. Now is your chance to join our team at a very exciting time in the evolution of our profession. As more and more Local Enhanced [...]

ONI has received a letter from the DHSSPS stating that the anticipated 1% increase in sight-test fee, domiciliary visiting fee and training and education allowances granted in England for 15-16 [...]

ONI have been approached by a final year Optometry student at Ulster University to ask for your help with her final year undergraduate project which is researching the role of Optometrists in [...]

 Last month the General Optical Council issued new policy for registrants on raising concerns about risks to patient safety. Further details at: The policy provides guidance for registrants and [...]

Look out for the Macular Roadshow which will be coming to Europa Hotel, Belfast on 7 June.  

On the 8th February, the Lord Anthony Newby proposed a motion in the House of Lords to amend the Opticians Act.  The proposal was to extend the Opticians Act to allow the sale of adjustable lense [...]

As you may be aware, we have various pilot schemes happening at the moment.  Our glaucoma referral refinement scheme is up and running, and results are very promising with a large proportion of [...]

Just a thought.  This year at our AGM, we will be electing new members to our ONI Council.  The Council is made up of 7 posts (who represent the NIOS, AOP, College, Universities, Hospital [...]

A letter went out to 265 contractors on 30 October asking if they would be interested in having an HSC Email address.  Optometrists are the first group of allied health professionals to be given [...]

Huge thank you and well done to all members who gave time, resources and other support to NEHW 2015. In numbers: National newspapers 322,073 readers & local newspapers 108,996 = 431,069 [...]

The Health and Social Care Board intends to establish a Disciplinary Panel to discharge its functions under the Health and Personal Social Services (Disci­plinary Procedures) Regulations [...]

  Please note that as from 30 September, practices who are not using the OCS system to full functionality (i.e.submitting GOS payments) will lose the HCN look up facility.  

We have been approached by HMRC to highlight a new free facility that they are offering to health professionals.  Further details can be found at HMRC Starting your Own Business  

September will be upon us within the blink of an eye. Check out ideas of activities which can be run during National Eye Health Week at www.visionmatters.org.uk/

Chairman’s update 30/06/15 Dear colleague, As we come into the holiday period I thought I would update you on some of the current and future work that ONI are involved with. Much of the current [...]

Our Chair, David Barnes has just received a letter of confirmation from the Department of Health and Social Services, confirming that the optical voucher value in Northern Ireland has increased [...]

Please find attached a link to documentation recently sent out to contractors. Annual QA returns documentation for GOS contractors

  Calling all ONI Levy Payers!  Our very own FODO rep, William Stockdale will be at the FODO stand at Optrafair this weekend, so why not call and see him and let him know what you think [...]

Please find detailed below the Agenda for our forthcoming meeting: AGENDA 1        Welcome – David Barnes, Chairman ONI   2        Apologies   3        Minutes of previous meeting [...]

Have your say!  The GOC are currently working on a consultation document on Standards of Practice and are looking for feedback from members.  They would like to encourage all optometrists, [...]

A Joint College of Optometrists, NIOS and ONI free member CET event will take place in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, 21 April from 6.00 pm. Expected timings for the evening: 6.00-6.45 pm  [...]

Good News Everyone! David has asked me to let you know that the payments will be made soon to all optometrists for the CET grant and all practices of back payments for GOS for the year 14-15. [...]

Thank you to all of the practices who completed the recent Sight Test Survey.  Some interesting findings.  Here is a link to the published document: [...]

  ONI are delighted to welcome Sara McCullough (pictured) as our new College Representative on Council.  Sara replaces Kathryn Saunders, who has decided to step down from ONI Council.  We [...]

ONI Chair, David Barnes headed a team of four representatives from ONI, which attended the Four Nations meeting in Glasgow on Thursday.  The Four Nations meet every eighteen months to discuss [...]

LEAD Study_BHSCT_Oct 14 Professor Chakravarthy of Queens University is heading a new research study into laser treatment of Age Related Macular Degeneration. The RVH are one of a few selected [...]

Dear colleagues, This year National Eye Health Week runs from 22-28th September. This is an opportunity for anyone involved in eye care to promote good eye health to the general public. Optometry [...]

The College of Optometrists accredited Professional Certificate in Medical Retina is the first of its kind to be offered in the UK.  It is offered through the University of Ulster through online [...]

The applications for the above posts have been processed and interviews have taken place.  A high number of high quality applications have been received from Community Optometrists.  It is [...]

National Eyecare Health Week gives all members of the profession a chance to work in tandem with the national campaign highlighting the importance of regular eye examinations.  Why not approach [...]

Glaucoma Referral Refinement continues to work well.  Initial figures show that the programme is weeding out 65% of cases that previously would have been referred on to the Hospital Eye Service. [...]

The next meeting of ONI Council will take place on Monday 8 September 2014.  Items which will be discussed will include Glaucoma Referral Refinement Update, Healthcare Numbers, Electronic [...]

  The first group of Independent Prescriber (IP) optometrists in Northern Ireland have started to receive their NHS prescription pads from the Northern Ireland Health Board. Among the first to [...]

Thank you to all the optometrists, who completed and returned the 2014 Sight Test and Ophthalmic Public Health Survey. The return rate for the 2014 Northern Ireland Sight Test and Ophthalmic [...]

Dear colleagues Just a quick note to say that Optometry NI has agreed to a 2% increase in GOS vouchers from 1st April 2014. Optometry in England, Wales, and Scotland have also agreed to this [...]

For the foreseeable future the main focus will be on the delivery of the “Developing Eye Care Partnerships” strategy which covers all aspects of eye care services in Northern Ireland. Optometry [...]

A pilot scheme on electronic referral was carried out for 10 weeks in the Southern Health Trust Area in May/June/July.  A total of ten practices participated having been selected at random, to [...]

In December, Helen Knox, David Barnes, Andrew Petticrew and Sara Ball went to Stormont.  They presented a proposal to the Health Committee which included plans to include and use the community [...]