PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR PRIMARY EYE CARE

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR PRIMARY EYE CARE

2.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Health since the formation of the Optometrists and Opticians Board (OOB) in July 2007 (a) what measures has the OOB implemented to enhance the professional standards of primary eye care in Singapore; (b) how many public complaints has it received and investigated; and (c) how many disciplinary hearings were conducted and what were their outcomes.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: Since its formation in July 2007, the Optometrists and Opticians Board has implemented the following key measures to raise the standard of primary eye care in Singapore:

(i) It requires optometrists and opticians to be registered before they can practise. There are now 749 optometrists and 1,544 opticians on the register;

Column: 1001

(ii) It requires all fresh optometry and opticianry graduates to work under the supervision of an experienced practitioner for a period of one year for optometrists and two years for opticians. This will guide the new graduates in their practice and ensure that professional standards are met;

(iii) It encourages all registered optometrists and opticians to participate in continuing professional education (CPE). CPE will be made mandatory for all registrants next year; and

(iv) It has published the Code of Professional Conduct and the Professional Practice Guidelines for Optometrists and Opticians. These documents set the standards of optometry and opticianry practice for all the registered optometrists and opticians.

So far, the Board has received two complaints from the public. One was dismissed while the other is currently being investigated.

No disciplinary hearing has yet been conducted.

Column: 1001