DOCET is a Committee established by The College of Optometrists, at the request of the Health Departments. DOCET's aim is to improve the eye health and eye care of the population through continuing education and training for optometrists ('CET').
The Health Departments allocate funds following a submission of a budget to DOCET annually. The Budget is used towards meeting the CET needs in the following year. The Budget is to be used to contribute to the continuing education and training of optometrists.
The funds are made available under section 63 of the Health Services and Public Health Act (1968). Money made available under section 63 may be used by DOCET to finance all forms of CET provided that the subjects addressed are relevant to family health services within the NHS. The Health Departments expect the provision of CET financed by section 63 funds to be directed towards:
- making CET available to every optometrist in the UK in a 'user friendly' form; CET content should assist the profession in meeting the eye care needs of the population more effectively and efficiently
- measuring the effectiveness and validity of CET
- encouraging innovation and experimentation in the way in which CET is delivered to the profession, having regard to the need for cost efficiency and value for money
