Workforce data, planning and transformation

Orthoptists:  

The orthoptist’s role focuses on examination, diagnosis and treatment of service users with a range of eye conditions. Orthoptists form part of the eyecare team. They have a key role in the diagnosis and management of developmental  

disorders of vision in children, and acquired eye movement and co-ordination problems in adults, often secondary to systemic disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, and endocrine conditions. Extended roles include assessment and  

management of service users with glaucoma, stroke and other neurological disorders.  

Orthoptists recognised that there were aspects of their work that were not unique to a qualified orthoptist. Given the national shortage of orthoptists it was important to maximise orthoptists’ time to be spent on activities and tasks demanding their unique orthoptic skills. Potential roles for orthoptic support workers, and for administrative assistants, were identified using the SMT process.  

Using information  

The Orthoptic Heads of Service across Greater Glasgow and Clyde met on a few occasions and shared ideas by email, looking at service needs and tasks that they felt were appropriate for a support worker. They worked with local Practice Education Facilitators and the Scottish Qualifications Agency to identify quality assured education and learning needs for orthoptic support workers. Relevant SVQs were identified and competencies specific to orthoptics were then developed.  

 Identifying barriers  

They did not have pre-existing competencies or education to draw from  

There was a sense of protectionism about certain tasks to overcome  

They were challenged by a lack of experience in making this type of change  

Developing a job description that would apply to the differing demands of two departments was a new experience    

Identifying benefits  

Having to identify competencies and develop education ensured that these met the needs of the service  

Working as a group across the Health Board area provided a great support network, helped motivation and provided a wide range of skills and experience to bring to the table. This allowed them to take the work forward  

 Action planning  

‘We now have three Support Workers employed over two sites, who are working towards an appropriate qualification. This will help them achieve their KSF and will help them with career progression. We have an Orthoptist who has become a qualified  

SQA assessor for SVQs.  

‘Once all 3 support workers have completed their assessments, we need to evaluate the process...Nearby Health Boards may want to co-opt our orthoptic assessor rather than train their own, which would ensure she maintains and develops her skills,  

and reduce costs.  

‘I and a colleague from Glasgow Caledonian University have been working with NES to look at how we train all 3 levels of Orthoptic support worker: healthcare support worker; senior healthcare support worker; assistant practitioner.’