Docet funding withdrawn due to Scottish government funding cuts

Optometrists only working in Scotland will be able to access Docet learning until 30 September 2024. After this date, access will be restricted to optometrists working in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. We strongly advise all optometrists in Scotland to complete any Docet CPD and download all CPD certificates by this date.

The restriction of access to Docet from the 30 September 2024 is for GOC registered optometrists who practise exclusively in Scotland. This will be drawn from the address held on the Ophthalmic List for Scotland. If you also practise in either England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or have moved to practise exclusively in another nation, please ensure that your details are up to date on the Ophthalmic List for Northern Ireland or Wales, or the Performers List for England before the 30 September to ensure continued access. If you do not update your details by the 30 September, please expect significant delays in regaining access to Docet, as additional checks will be required.

NES state that the current funding position facing NHS Scotland is extremely challenging. The Scottish government tasked the NES Executive Team and Board with delivering efficiencies and cost savings across all services. As a result, unfortunately funding for Docet CPD was part of the cost savings.

Currently Docet CPD is still open for Scottish Optometrists until 30 September 2024. The College also offers a wealth of free CPD for its members including online courses, webinars, peer reviews, podcasts, Acuity journal articles and physical national and regional events. Access the College’s CPD hub.

No, practitioners solely working in Scotland will only be able to access Docet learning until 30 September 2024. 

The College is committed to delivering the highest standard of CPD for all optometrists, regardless of where they live or work in the UK. Ninety seven percent of members rate the College CPD either excellent or good. Membership of the College is open to all GOC registered students, optometrists and dispensing opticians, as well as for all other ophthalmic professionals including ophthalmologists, orthoptists, ophthalmic nurses, contact lens opticians and others. The available CPD ranges from events to webinars to podcasts to research and journal articles. The vast majority is free for all College members.

While we are aware of the limitations that have recently been imposed on NHS Scotland funding, we are very disappointed that the decision was made to cut Scottish optometrists’ access to Docet’s vital CPD and learning resources. Docet is an important tool that supports optometrists to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date and maintain optimal patient outcomes.

Docet was historically funded by four national NHS departments for the continued development of optometrists. There are additional NHS-funded resources for other professions within the eye healthcare.

Each nation’s funding is proportionate to the number of optometrists working in that nation. Therefore England contributes the most, as the highest number of optometrists work in that nation.

No. The College has committed funding from England, Northern Ireland and Wales to continue to develop and deliver this resource for optometrists.