Appointment of New National Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology Announced

Ms Aoife Doyle

The Irish College of Ophthalmologists is pleased to confirm that Ms Aoife Doyle, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at the Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital (RVEEH) is taking up the post as Clinical Lead for the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology.

Priorities for the programme include the continued roll out of the integrated eye care teams and the implementation of a national electronic clinical management system.

Ms Aoife Doyle has a wealth of experience in delivering ophthalmology services including the development of the integrated cataract and glaucoma service across the RVEEH and Community Healthcare Area with colleagues in Kilnamanagh Tymon Primary Care Centre (CHO7). The service is paperless with an electronic medical record and imaging platform shared with RVEEH to allow all clinical information to be accessible at the point of patient care.

Ms Doyle has also set up a nurse led glaucoma assessment clinic service where patients with mild to moderate stable glaucoma are monitored in the pathway, Any patients needing review with a consultant, nurse practitioner or specialist optometrist in the case of CHO7 can be referred seamlessly with automatic transfer of information and return of care to the stable clinic from the central hub where appropriate.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Doyle said;

"It is a great privilege to take on the role of Clinical Lead for the specialty and I look forward to working with and supporting ophthalmology colleagues across the hospitals and community service as they continue to look after patients and address capacity demands."

Mr John Doris, President of the Irish College of Ophthalmologists and Chair of the Programme's Clinical Advisory Group wished Ms Doyle well in her new role and said;

"The ICO has been a long-standing advocate for the expansion of ophthalmology services for patients in Ireland. The College and National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology has worked extensively with the HSE and with the Department of Health to develop significant workforce and resource planning and supports the implementation of the new Integrated Eye Care Teams in extending the delivery of specialist ophthalmic care in the non-acute setting.

We wish Aoife well in the role and look forward to continuing to support the work of the Programme. I'd like to acknowledge and thank the outgoing Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology, Professor Billy Power, for the significant developments he achieved for the specialty during his tenure."

Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology Model of Care

5^th December 2023

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