GOC approves College proposal for additional IP mentors

The GOC has approved a College proposal to allow Individual Clinical Practice Placement sessions to be signed off by a designated ophthalmic practitioner who is registered as an independent prescriber.

The designated ophthalmologist (mentor) will continue to have oversight of achievement of all requirements, however this may be via indirect rather than direct supervision. The designated ophthalmologist mentor will still be responsible for the overall sign-off of the logbook.

The designated ophthalmic practitioner must:

• Have at least two years post-specialist qualification experience and be listed on the appropriate regulator’s register as such.
• Be working under the supervision of the designated ophthalmologist (mentor).
• Be approved by the College of Optometrists to undertake this role.

For the purposes of College approval, the designated ophthalmic practitioner must either be:

• An IP-qualified optometrist who has at least two years’ experience as an IP-qualified optometrist and is listed on the GOC register as such.

Or:

• A GMC registered doctor currently engaged on, and at least two years into, an ophthalmic-speciality training programme, listed on the GMC register as such.

The change applies immediately to all IP trainees at all stages of completing their logbook, and will remain in place for the life cycle of the qualification route.

Find out more about our independent prescribing qualification.