Public Services Delivery Scotland - PSD Scotland - Optometry

21/04/2026

What does the Foundation Training Year look like in practice?

This week's newsletter explores how the FTY works on the ground and what it means for students, supervisors and the wider optometry profession.


Key elements include:
✔️ Two 24-week clinical placements in different settings, including remote and rural
✔️ Integrated independent prescribing training, supported by simulation and Teach & Treat clinics
✔️ A protected development day each week
✔️ Workplace-based assessment focused on clinical reasoning and professional judgement

👉 Read the newsletter here: https://newsletters.nes.digital/optometry-foundation-training-year/inside-the-foundation-training-year/

Over the coming months, we’ll share more guidance on supervision, placements and how to get involved.

The Inside the Foundation Training Year page of the NHS Education for Scotland website.

21/04/2026

SPACES STILL REMAINING

PSD Scotland are pleased to invite you our next evening webinar session.

A STRUCTURED APPROACH TO HEADACHE ASSESSMENT

We will be joined by Dr Callum Duncan, Consultant Neurologist, NHS Grampian, and Chair of the Scottish National Headache Pathway.

This webinar introduces the National Headache Pathway and its role in supporting the assessment and management of patients presenting with headache across NHS Scotland.

The session will cover:

-A structured approach to headache assessment

-Primary and secondary headache diagnoses

-Red flags

-Practical use of the National Headache Pathway

📣 1 interactive CPD point

💻 BOOK HERE: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/89882

🗓️ Wednesday 29th April 2026

⌚ 19:00-20:00

20/04/2026

SPACES REMAINING -

📢 Online Anterior Segment Peer Discussion

We still have spaces remaining on our 2 further dates for online peer discussions focused on non‑IP anterior segment cases.

📣 Worth 3 general CPD points.

📆 Tuesday 21st of April 7-8pm

📆 Tuesday 12th May 7-8pm

Book here - https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/87690

14/04/2026

PSD Scotland are pleased to invite you our next evening webinar session.

A STRUCTURED APPROACH TO HEADACHE ASSESSMENT
We will be joined by Dr Callum Duncan, Consultant Neurologist, NHS Grampian, and Chair of the Scottish National Headache Pathway.

This webinar introduces the National Headache Pathway and its role in supporting the assessment and management of patients presenting with headache across NHS Scotland.

The session will cover:

A structured approach to headache assessment

Primary and secondary headache diagnoses

Red flags

Practical use of the National Headache Pathway

📣 1 interactive CPD point

💻 BOOK HERE: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/89882

🗓️ Wednesday 29th April 2026

⌚19:00-20:00

14/04/2026

Foundation Training Year at a glance

Last week, we shared the first update in our communications package introducing the Optometry Foundation Training Year. Today, we’re showcasing our new animation, which explains why optometry placement provision in Scotland is changing and how the FTY will support that change.

This video is the first in a series that will break down what these developments mean in practice for students, supervisors, and the wider profession.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to share information about the FTY.

🎥 Let’s take a look at how Scotland is transforming optometry placement provision: https://vimeo.com/1154968169

This is "Transforming Optometry Education in Scotland" by NES on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

10/04/2026

📢 Online Anterior Segment Peer Discussion

We've added 2 further dates for online peer discussions focused on non‑IP anterior segment cases.

📣 Limited places available, worth 3 general CPD points.

📆 Tuesday 21st of April 7-8pm

📆 Tuesday 12th May 7-8pm

💻 Book here - https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/89127

07/04/2026

🚀 Exciting news for optometry in Scotland! A new national placement year is coming in 2028. Stay tuned for how you can get involved.

We’re excited to share the first update in our new communications package introducing the Foundation Training Year (FTY).

The FTY marks a new, nationally supported, practice-based placement delivered during the final year of the new integrated MOptom (IP) programmes at GCU and UHI. It will bring university learning and real-world patient care together, with a strong focus on confidence, capability and readiness for modern practice.


What makes Scotland’s approach different?
✔️ Integrated MOptom (IP)
✔️New Supervisory Team model
✔️Two placements
✔️ A student based final year
✔️ A nationally coordinated, quality assured placement model
✔️ New Assessment Framework

🎥 We’re also sharing the first short animation in a new video series, setting out why optometry placement provision in Scotland is changing and how the FTY fits into the new training pathway.

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more about what’s changing, why it matters, and what it means in practice, for students, supervisors and the wider profession.

👉 Read the newsletter here: https://newsletters.nes.digital/optometry-foundation-training-year/launching-2028-a-new-era-for-optometry-placements-in-scotland/

The Launching 2028: A New Era for Optometry Placements in Scotland page of the NHS Education for Scotland website.

02/04/2026

Public Services Delivery Scotland - PSD Scotland
1 April at 10:00
·
Today marks the launch of Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland).
NSS and NES have come together as one national organisation, working in partnership to support health and social care services across Scotland. Bringing our strengths together allows us to continue delivering high‑quality services, while creating new opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and improve outcomes.
On day one, our focus is service continuity - ensuring stability for the people and partners who rely on us.
Find out more: https://publicservicesdelivery.scot/

The Home page of the Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland) website.

23/03/2026

Optometry Foundation Training Year

There’s so much happening right now, and we don’t want you to miss a thing! Our newest newsletter provides the latest updates on the FTY project and a look at what’s coming next. Click on this link to find out more: https://mailchi.mp/nes/nesoptometryftywinter2025-5756645

18/03/2026

SPACES REMAINING

There are still a few spaces remaining on tomorrow nights online peer discussion on Eyecare for Everyone.

This peer review presents three patient cases to stimulate discussion in the following areas: GOS - who is entitled to what and getting it right, managing patients with dementia for spectacle dispensing, contact lenses and driving and providing care for a patient following a stroke.

🗓️ Thursday 19th March 2026

⌚ 19:00-20:00

Book here: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/87690