Sectoral Bargaining Update
28/02/2023
Sectoral Bargaining Update
20/01/2023
COP-Sectoral Bargaining Update
06/05/2022
COP Update
22/04/2021
Primary Eye Services Report - Update
16 August 2018
IMO Submission Primary Eye Care Review
The IMO was invited to make a submission and oral presentation to the HSE Primary Eye Care Services Review on 18th December 2014.
IMO Calls on Department of Health to End Neglect of Community Ophthalmic Physician Service
In the Department of Health strategy document ‘Future Health’ that was published in November 2012, the Department claim that in the future, the Primary Care setting should “meet 90 – 95% of people’s health and personal social care needs.
Community Ophthalmic Physicians
- The IMO represents two types of ‘Eye Doctor‘– medical ophthalmologists and surgical ophthalmologists.
- Community Ophthalmic Physicians (COPs), directly employed by the HSE treat patients that are referred to them by Public Health Doctors and/or Public Health Nurses. They also treat GMS patients referred by GPs or Consultants. COPs also carry out population screening programmes.
- Holders of HSE Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme (COSS) Contracts attend to both public and private patients and can offer surgical services to patients. The COSS has proven to be excellent value for money for the State and the IMO has encouraged the HSE to extend the Scheme and provide for more treatment to be delivered in a Primary Care setting.
- The IMO has been working with the HSE, under the auspices of an independent chairman, Mr Michael McGinley, to set out a pathway for the future of Community Ophthalmology in Ireland.
- In February 2011, the IMO received a commitment from the HSE to open dialogue on Mr McGinley’s findings with a view to addressing numerous concerns that have been expressed by IMO COP members including:
- Contractual situation of current and long serving COPs
- Procedures for appointment of Hospital based COPs
- Pension rights for sessional COPs
- Shortfalls in service caused by the Moratorium on Recruitment.
- The IMO will keep Members informed as these negotiations progress.