New apprenticeships: orthoptists earn while they learn

An apprenticeship has been launched that will create new opportunities for people to train as orthoptists, helping to tackle vision problems in children and adults across England.

You can now earn while you learn, with a paid apprenticeship in your local NHS hospital. Previously people had to go to university in Liverpool, Sheffield or London.

A vital role

Childhood vision problems are on the rise and waiting lists for eyecare services are growing. Orthoptists play a vital role in identifying and treating vision issues in children before the age of seven – after which treatment becomes much more difficult. They also support adults with serious neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

Julie Dowdney, head orthoptist at University Hospitals Dorset and chair of the Leaders of the Orthoptic Profession group of the British and Irish Orthoptic Society, (BIOS) said: “This is a game-changing moment for eye care in England. By training people in their local communities, we can better serve patients who need early diagnosis and treatment. 

“This is particularly important in areas like southern England, where we’ve struggled to recruit enough specialists.”

The benefits

The apprenticeships:

  • Allow you to earn while you learn, removing financial barriers to entering the profession
  • Create new career opportunities for people who can’t relocate for traditional university courses
  • Enable NHS trusts to grow their own talent from local communities
  • Help meet increasing demand for eyecare services across the country

The apprenticeship will maintain the high standards that have made British orthoptic qualifications internationally recognised while making the career more accessible to a wider range of people.

Find out more

  • Read about a day in the life of orthoptist Alice here
  • Find out more about BIOS’s work to expand the orthoptic workforce here