Annual report highlights achievements as we get set for 2024

Optometry Australia President, Margaret Lam, today issued a statement to members, outlined below:

As 2023 comes to an end, it’s with pleasure that I release to you Optometry Australia’s FY2022/23 Annual Report, which offers a detailed look at our collective efforts and successful outcomes aligned with our goals.

Throughout 2023, we have retained a focus on delivering for optometry members across the county. The third Optometry Virtually Connected (OVC) event in June was a standout, with 2,185 delegate registrations, including 144 from New Zealand. It was just one highlight in a year filled with a diverse range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) resources, including flagship webcasts and interactive online workshops that garnered impressive member participation.

Our Optometry Advisor Help Desk has become a cornerstone of support for our members, offering professional information, support, and guidance from your optometrist peers. The feedback received during the January to June 2023 period speaks volumes, with 92% of engaged members rating our service as meeting their needs extremely well, and an additional 8% finding it to meet their needs well. Moreover, 89% of respondents expressed their willingness to recommend the service to their peers, reflecting its value.

Promoting the value of optometry to the wider community remains a core focus. The Good Vision for Life campaign continued to gain traction well into 2023, generating record publicity off the back of the 2022 Vision Index. This consumer-focused initiative raises awareness about the importance of regular eye care and the integral role of optometrists in maintaining good vision.

We have continued to advocate for the profession and actively pursue a robust future for optometry. Our team has been actively involved in the final stages of the review of MBS items for optometry, actively pursuing greater integration with Federal digital health initiatives and broadly promoting the benefits of utilising the highly skilled optometry workforce to maximal benefit in eye care pathways. We were pleased to join RANZCO and Orthoptists Australia recently in announcing a commitment to work together to facilitate greater use of collaborative care models to support paediatric eye care needs. We have also been progressing work to introduce recognition of advanced practice to optometry, with plans to pilot our new program in 2024.

Following a vote of support from Optometry Victoria South Australia and Optometry Tasmania members, operational integration of these divisions with Optometry Australia was finalised recently on 1 November. Discussions continue with other state divisions of how we can all work together optimally to deliver for members.

Lastly, our audited financial statements for the year ending 30 June 2023 confirm Optometry Australia’s sound financial position. A healthy cash flow and a strong balance sheet underline our organisation’s financial stability.

I am very proud of the work that Optometry Australia delivers and find it rewarding to act as President for this great organisation. No doubt the year ahead will present its own opportunities and challenges and my fellow directors and I look forward to embracing these along with our talented Optometry Australia team, led by CEO, Skye Cappuccio.

On behalf of the board and all the Optometry Australia team, I extend my thanks for your ongoing support and dedication and wish you a wonderful festive season and a safe, prosperous and happy 2024.

Margaret Lam

President

Optometry Australia