General Ophthalmic Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007

Qualifications of ophthalmic medical practitioners

5.—(1) The prescribed qualifications which a doctor is to possess for the purposes of Article 62 of the Order (arrangements for general ophthalmic services) are that he has (at the date of consideration of his application under regulation 6) recent experience and either—

(a) has—

(i) held an appointment in the health services, otherwise than under Part VI of the Order, with the status of consultant ophthalmologist; or an appointment for a period of not less than two years of equivalent status as an ophthalmic surgeon or assistant ophthalmic surgeon on the staff of an approved ophthalmic hospital; and

(ii) had adequate experience; or

(b) has —

(i) held an ophthalmic appointment or an appointment in an approved ophthalmic hospital, for a period totalling not less than two years, including therein tenure for a period of not less than 6 months of a residential appointment or an appointment with duties comparable with those of a residential appointment (provided that such tenure for 6 months of a residential or comparable appointment shall not be required in the case of a doctor who has been fully registered for at least seven years and whose experience is such as to make that requirement unnecessary);

(ii) obtained the Membership of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, or any approved higher degree or qualification, and

(iii) had adequate experience.

(2) In this regulation “approved” means approved by the Ophthalmic Qualifications Committee.