Optometry Australia (OA) has welcomed the final report on an independent review of the health workforce, saying it “marks a significant and welcome step towards realising OA’s vision of a healthcare system which fully utilises optometrists, working collaboratively with other health professionals”.
The independent ‘Scope of Practice’ review explored “system changes and practical improvements needed to support greater productivity and improved, safe and affordable care for patients”.1
Professor Mark Cormack, who led the review, provided the final report Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce – Scope of Practice Review1 to the Federal Minister for Health, the Hon Mark Butler MP.
OA said the report presents important developments for allied health professionals, including optometrists. Responding to the report, OA said it was actively involved in the year long process.
“Pleasingly, the final report marks a significant and welcome step towards realising OA’s vision of a healthcare system which fully utilises optometrists, working collaboratively with other health professionals, to make a genuine difference in providing timely eye care for Australians,” the organisation said.
Virtually all the nation’s health professions face restrictions and barriers in working to their fullest – restrictions that are unrelated to their skills, training and experience
Report Finding
The report found that “virtually all the nation’s health professions face restrictions and barriers in working to their fullest – restrictions that are unrelated to their skills, training and experience”. It noted that “removing these barriers would make it easier for Australians to get high quality care, when are where they need it, without waiting weeks for an appointment”.
Releasing the report, Mr Butler said it “validates the frustrations of so many of our incredible health professionals: the health system does not enable and support them to consistently deliver the care that is within their skills, training and experience.2
“This is not a case of a single profession missing out. The review tells us that virtually all health professions are held back by restrictions and barriers that are unrelated to their skills, training and experience.
“Removing these barriers would make it easier for Australians to get high quality health care, when and where they need it, without waiting weeks or driving long distances.”
Optometry Australia is committed to exploring funding models and advocating for those which hold promise for optometry, optometrists, and community eye health
Report Welcomed
Optometry Australia CEO, Skye Cappuccio, said that OA has long advocated for a system that recognises and supports optometrists’ full scope of practice, including in supporting the development of collaborative care models alongside ophthalmologists.
“We eagerly await the Government’s response to recommendations directed at removing key barriers,” she said.
Ms Cappuccio said OA’s responses to the Scope of Practice Review over the past year have “reiterated the importance of supporting the evolution of optometric scope of practice, enabling optometrists, optometry and community eye health to keep pace with the changing needs of the population”.
She highlighted enabling optometrists to “prescribe oral medications for the purpose of the practice of optometry, as they do safely in similar countries like the UK, US and New Zealand” as a “ready opportunity”.
Ms Cappuccio also highlighted the report’s emphasis on the need for reform of payments for health workers.
She said this observation aligns closely with OA’s Strategic Plan 2024-27, which identified the need to facilitate the development of funding systems that empower optometrists to work to their full and evolving scope of practice.
“Current Medicare item fees don’t cover the true cost of optometric clinical care. Optometry Australia is committed to exploring funding models and advocating for those which hold promise for optometry, optometrists, and community eye health,” Ms Cappuccio said.
References
- Cormack M; Independent Scope of Practice Review. Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce – Scope of Practice Review (final report), Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, 2024. Available at: health.gov.au/resources/publications/unleashing-the-potential-of-our-health-workforce-scope-of-practice-review-final-report [accessed Nov 2024].
- Butler M. Landmark report on how to unleash the potential of our health professions (media release, 5 Nov 2024) Available at: health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/landmark-report-on-how-to-unleash-the-potential-of-our-health-professions [accessed Nov 2024].
