OCE Orthoptistes de la  Communauté Européenne

The OCE is the professional body that represents the profession of Orthoptics across Europe. Its main goals are documented below:

• Networking in Europe
• Representation in Europe
• Share and advise authorities
• Harmonisation of profession in education
• Assistance

I am completing my first year as OCE rep on behalf of BIOS. As an Orthoptist who started my career in Norway and having the pleasure to work with Colleagues in other EU countries over my career I was delighted to go to my first meeting and meet some old friends and some new contacts.

The UK was the first country to have Orthoptists and we have always been leaders in the profession. The first thing that struck me was how Orthoptics has been developing in other European countries. The roles and responsibilities vary within Europe. In Italy they have over 3000 Orthoptists. Opticians in Italy sell glasses but do not refract or check eye health and the Orthoptists have become the main supporting profession to Ophthalmology taking on a wide range of roles. In contrast Orthoptics is not a regulated or recognized profession in Denmark and members of the OCE are looking to find a solution for this anomaly and secure the role of Orthoptists in Denmark. Spain does not have any Orthoptic education or an active profession. Overall the training standards and research projects are moving forward with apace across a number of European partners.

Central to the goals of OCE business is raising the standards of the profession across Europe. This has resulted in the development of the European Diploma in Orthoptics. The Diploma was  launched  last year by the OCE education committee and the training materials and exams have been live for around 1 year. Around 60 people have registered with the European Diploma and some have registered to take the exam. The training materials are free to access via the e-learning platform Canvas. The course is designed for qualified orthoptists to take to show that they meet the minimum standards of Orthoptists working in Europe and will be required by anyone thinking of moving to work in an EU member country however there are still regulatory body requirements that may need to be fulfilled in different countries . For example an Orthoptist who qualifies in Germany and would like to work in the UK can sit the diploma exam to show their knowledge meets minimum standards but they would still have to go satisfy HCPC guidance to become a registered Orthoptist in the UK. The course is also available for Orthoptists out with the EU to take. The fee to take the examination is 250 Euro but it is free to use the learning platform. I would strongly recommend any new graduates to consider doing the Diploma in case they wish to work in Europe. A link to the website can be found here https://euro-orthoptics.com/european-diploma/

Should any BIOS members wish to work in Europe, I would suggest that they contact me and I can put them in contact with the relevant OCE representative and provide some initial advice. Should anyone have any matters concerning Orthoptics in Europe please do not hesitate to contact me.

Nadia Northway

BIOS OCE Representative

Email: ocerep@orthoptics.org.uk