Thomas Ford
Thomas Ford has been appointed President of Optometry New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory (OA NSW/ACT). Mivision caught up with Mr Ford to ask him about the appointment and the road ahead.
Q. What excites you about your new role as President of Optometry NSW/ACT?
As a rural, early career optometrist, based in Griffith NSW, I am genuinely excited for our future as a profession. Every day, I witness first-hand, the impact we have on patients’ lives; forming a key pillar of primary healthcare whilst being truly valued by the communities we serve.
This role provides the opportunity to lead my colleagues, while working collaboratively to ensure that our profession secures a stronger position for future generations.
The upcoming member vote on unification represents a pivotal moment in our history: a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape our organisation into one that is fit-for-purpose and ready for the challenges of the 21st century. We are reimagining a peak body which is more relevant and representative of our members, while being unashamedly member-centric and grassroots in approach.
Most of all, I am excited to serve. This is an incredible honour where I intend to strengthen and modernise our governance structures, support an agile and strategically focused peak body, and champion an expanded and contemporary scope of practice, while amplifying the voice of our members.
Q. What are the present challenges for optometrists in NSW/ACT?
We are observing workforce pressures contribute to oversupply in some regions, yet maldistribution in others; increased practitioner burnout and remuneration which doesn’t align with our expanding knowledge and skills, nor with that of inflation. Not to mention the underutilisation of our skills in some environments, as well as the urgent need for scope of practice expansion, more collaborative models of care and new, innovative roles such as in hospitals.
Meanwhile, we interact with an increasingly complex and overburdened healthcare system, one where funding sources such as Medicare become more uncertain. There is also a desire for greater career fulfilment via flexible work arrangements and more meaningful career pathways; against the backdrop of industry transformation with respect to artificial intelligence (AI), digital health, and emerging models of care, each of which are reshaping the way in which we practice.
Neither of these challenges are insurmountable, however, they do require a coordinated and strategic response. This is why unification is so important, now more than at any other time in our 122-year history. We must ensure that we are more effective and united as a profession, by speaking confidently with one voice to urge the changes we so deserve.
It is also important that we remain collegiate and support those who continue to navigate the profession; as we are stronger when we act as one profession, rather than in disparate parts
Q. What do you hope to achieve during your Presidency?
First and foremost, I seek to support our members through the upcoming unification vote. It is critical that every member feels informed, heard, and respected throughout this process; as together, we work to strengthen the future of our peak body.
Of great importance is that we reengage with optometrists to gain their trust and respect, particularly those who may feel disengaged or disillusioned. This begins by providing our members with a direct say in our organisation’s governance and leadership, while delivering high-quality support services, events, and advocacy through infrastructure of a national scale and influence.
We must also ensure that members receive greater value for money, by reducing duplication and offering more relevant and innovative services which address grassroots challenges. This includes more effective advocacy with respect to Medicare and private health insurance, scope of practice expansion, and workforce sustainability. Further, we must aspire to move from a fragmented profession based on state and territory lines to one which is truly united.
I see it as my duty to ensure that members feel more connected, better supported, and more optimistic about the future of optometry, while leading our peak body to a more sustainable future.
Q. How can optometrists in NSW and the ACT help?
Become engaged and involved in the democratic process which will decide the destiny of our peak body; one of the most consequential in our profession’s history. Every member has a voice, and I encourage my peers to participate in the conversation by attending forums, asking questions and providing constructive feedback.
Beyond voting, I challenge colleagues to become more involved as we seek active ambassadors to step up on behalf of our profession. Whether through grassroots efforts which support patient education, advisory groups or advocacy campaigns, we each have the opportunity to more confidently promote the role of optometry in our communities.
It is also important that we remain collegiate and support those who continue to navigate the profession; as we are stronger when we act as one profession, rather than in disparate parts.
This is our profession, and together, we can shape its future.
