Government and regulation

Health minister, Mike Nesbitt MLA, with Optometry Northern Ireland chair, Brian McKeown, and colleagues during a visit to Brogan’s Eyes and Ears practice in Lisburn

Northern Ireland health minister visits community optometry practice

Mike Nesbitt visited Brogans Eyes & Ears in Lisburn and saw the PEARS service at work

Government and regulation

11 Aug

Parliamentary portrait of James Frith MP

James Frith MP takes on responsibility for eye care at the DHSC

Government and regulation

10 Aug

A close-up of a hand flicking through a pile of organised papers

GOC updates Hearing and Indicative Sanctions guidance

Government and regulation

28 Jul

Chris McDonald looking at the camera wearing a grey suit

Chris McDonald MP joins Department of Health and Social Care

Government and regulation

24 Jul

Exterior of the Department of Health and Social Care on Whitehall, Central London

Two new ministers join the Department of Health and Social Care

Government and regulation

23 Jul

Yvette Cooper MP is appointed as health secretary by Prime Minister Andy Burnham at 10 Downing Street on 20 July 2026

Yvette Cooper MP appointed health secretary by Prime Minister Andy Burnham

Government and regulation

21 Jul

Woman sitting on a giant light bulb growing like a plant, working on a laptop against a cloudy sky background.

43% of GOC registrants on track to meet their CPD requirements

Government and regulation

21 Jul

A man tries on glasses in an optometry practice

GOC launches consultation on updated sight testing statement

Government and regulation

16 Jul 1

A group of professionals hold a meeting in a conference room

Five insights from General Optical Council

Government and regulation

09 Jul

Head-and-shoulders portrait of a smiling person with long blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a sleeveless navy and white patterned top, against a plain light grey background with copy space to the right

GOC appoints IP optometrist as its first head of optometric advice

Government and regulation

09 Jul

A full shot of a young woman with dual sensory loss, walking away from a kitchen holding a glass of water in a clean, bright kitchen. She is holding her red and white cane, providing essential mobility, safety, and independence

Government funding for specialist interpreter support welcomed by Deafblind UK

Government and regulation

25 Jun

A woman wearing a yellow top receives a sight test

GOC to consult on proposed updated statement on the testing of sight

Government and regulation

25 Jun

A female optometrist performs a sight test with a slit lamp for a male patient

OFNC advises profession against committing to “unfunded” ERS until negotiations complete

Government and regulation

24 Jun 1

James Murray MP, the health secretary, making his speech on the Health Bill at the House of Commons

NHS eye exams and ‘postcode lottery’ for glaucoma care discussed in Health Bill's second reading

Government and regulation

03 Jun 5 min read

Visually impaired businesswoman using smartphone and earphones during business meeting

Recruitment drive to tackle Access to Work backlog announced by Government

Government and regulation

28 May

Female optometrist using an OCT machine on a patient in practice

AOP publishes Health Bill policy briefing

Government and regulation

26 May

Young girl with glasses smiling in a classroom setting

SEND reform gaps and digital inaccessibility in transport highlighted by RNIB after King’s Speech

Government and regulation

18 May

Parliamentary portrait of James Murray MP with a Union Jack to the right

James Murray MP appointed health secretary after Wes Streeting resignation

Government and regulation

15 May 1

Wes Streeting speaking on stage at the NHS Confederation Expo in June 2025

Wes Streeting resigns as health secretary

Government and regulation

14 May

White stick with male shoes in the background

Blind and partially sighted people still facing “structural barriers and persistent misconceptions,” APPG says

Government and regulation

13 May

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria, leave Number 10 Downing Street to attend the King’s Speech

Legislation to tackle late payments and introduction of a single patient record introduced in King’s Speech

Government and regulation

13 May

A crowd of people are pictured raising their hands

Body responsible for negotiating GOS fees seeks feedback from optical professionals

Government and regulation

08 May 3

Two people entering a polling station to vote

Blind journalist unable to vote independently in local elections

Government and regulation

08 May

A person rifles through a pale blue folder box of files

GOC seeks views on approach to setting registrant fees

Government and regulation

30 Apr

Viki Slade MP gives a speech from the green benches in Westminster Hall

Vision tests for driving should not focus solely on age, MP says

Government and regulation

27 Apr

GOC reception area

Sector responses to GOC CPD reform proposals

Government and regulation

23 Apr 2

Close up of a male eye

UK Eye Care Data Hub expands insight on eye conditions and workforce data

Government and regulation

21 Apr

A driver’s hands on the wheel of the car in the 10 and 2 position. The photograph is taken over the driver’s shoulder and focused on their hands

37,000 drivers lost or refused licences after failing to meet eyesight standards

Government and regulation

09 Apr

Load more

Most popular across OT

A woman smiles while wearing solar eclipse glasses

Moorfields Eye Hospital surgeon gives tips on staying safe during the solar eclipse

Patients

10 Aug 1

Harper poses outside of a hospital

An optometrist saved my life

“We will always be grateful that Charlotte recognised the signs when she did”

Patients

26 Jun 5 min read 1

A female optometrist performs a sight test with a slit lamp for a male patient

OFNC advises profession against committing to “unfunded” ERS until negotiations complete

Government and regulation

24 Jun 1

OTHomepageOurJournalmoduleJJ

June/July 2026

The Practice resilience edition

05 Jun

Most popular across Government and regulation

A female optometrist performs a sight test with a slit lamp for a male patient

OFNC advises profession against committing to “unfunded” ERS until negotiations complete

Government and regulation

24 Jun 1

A man tries on glasses in an optometry practice

GOC launches consultation on updated sight testing statement

Government and regulation

16 Jul 1

A woman wearing a yellow top receives a sight test

GOC to consult on proposed updated statement on the testing of sight

Government and regulation

25 Jun

Exterior of the Department of Health and Social Care on Whitehall, Central London

Two new ministers join the Department of Health and Social Care

Government and regulation

23 Jul

Yvette Cooper MP is appointed as health secretary by Prime Minister Andy Burnham at 10 Downing Street on 20 July 2026

Yvette Cooper MP appointed health secretary by Prime Minister Andy Burnham

Government and regulation

21 Jul

Chosen for you

A woman smiles while wearing solar eclipse glasses

Moorfields Eye Hospital surgeon gives tips on staying safe during the solar eclipse

Patients

10 Aug 1

Professor Shehzad Naroo with an ophthalmoscope

A personal history of Aston University optometry department in 12 objects

Students and pre-regs

06 Aug 9 min read

Edwin Causey centre with Specsavers staff members all smiling at cameras

CUES appointment supports urgent referral for life-threatening condition

On the High Street

06 Aug 1

An illustration in tones of blue in which a woman stands in front of a crossroads that points in many directions. Her posture indicates confusion

A Level results day: “Failing wasn’t the end of my story”

Students and pre-regs

11 Aug 7 min read

A woman sits on the sofa wearing a blanket and blowing her nose

Persistent ocular symptoms following COVID-19

Research

07 Aug