Medical Exemptions (online)

Mode of attendance

An online introductory learning day will be held at the start of the module in either September or March where you will be able to meet your course tutors and fellow students.  You will be able to participate in online lectures, tutorials and workshops on these introductory days and at further, periodic tutorials held online throughout the module.

Further details will be made available upon application.

Aim

To facilitate advanced practice in the area of prescription only and non-prescription exemption listed medicines for Orthoptists, by enhancing knowledge of the pharmacokinetics and actions of these specific medicines.

Background

In 2016, changes to The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 were passed in government to allows the use of exemptions within the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 by Orthoptists. This change introduces exemptions for orthoptists to sell, supply and administer certain medicines. To use these exemptions, orthoptists must undertake a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) approved post-registration programme and obtain an annotation on the HCPC Register.

Medicines exempted for use by Orthoptists

These medicines can be categorised into:

Prescription only medicines

a) Anti-microbials; chloramphenicol, fusidic acid

b) Antimuscarinics; atropine, cyclopentolate, tropicamide

c) Local anaesthetics; Lidocaine with fluorescein, Oxybuprocaine, Proxymetacaine, Tetracaine

Non-prescription medicines either on the General Sales List or Pharmacy only list

For supply and administration in the course of professional practice, for example phenylephrine 2.5%, sodium cromoglicate, fluorescein and some ocular lubricants.

Content overview

1. Introduction
2. Legal framework
3. Pharmacology and Anatomy
4. Communication
5. Cycloplegia and Mydriasis
6. Ocular lubricants
7. Local anaesthetics
8. Antimicrobials
9. Administer and supply
10. Record Keeping
11. Continued Professional Development

MCQ Examination

Dates to be confirmed

Accreditation

This module has been approved by The Health and Care Professions Council.

Who can study this module

This module is available to anybody with a relevant qualification in the eye care profession. Currently we have Low Vision nurses, Optometrists and Ophthalmologists studying with us. We currently have a number of spaces open on this course to students who would like to take this one module as a standalone.

This module is also available to students undertaking the full MMedSci Vision and Strabismus degree and is an option for module three, the first module of the second year. For this reason, both standalone students and MMedSci Vision and Strabismus students will study alongside each other for the September intake at the introductory day. 

Entry requirements

In order to undertake this course you will need to first gain the support of a 'primary exemptions tutor'. This is a person who is currently qualified to supply and administer the medicines listed above. Ideally this would be an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or annotated orthoptist who you work with in your trust and with whom you have a good working relationship. You will need this person to fill out a 'primary exemptions tutor support form' available to download here: Primary Exemptions Tutor (PET) support form.  Please send the completed and signed form by email to orthoptics@sheffield.ac.uk at the same time that you submit your application. Alternatively you can post it to us.

Your primary exemptions tutor will need to offer you mentorship and support throughout the course, for example having reflective discussions with you and signing off on any decisions to supply medicines not whilst you undertake the course, that are not already covered by an existing patient group or patient specific directive.

We have produced a primary exemptions tutor handbook which is available to download below. 

Primary Exemptions Tutor Handbook

Awards

Upon successful completion of this module you will receive a certificate of completion which you can use, if registered as an Orthoptist with the HCPC, to apply to the HCPC to be annotated on the register as able to use Exemptions.

This module can also be taken as part of the following courses:

You can combine this module with another from the MMedSci Vision and Strabismus programme to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Vision and Strabismus (60 credits), or you could combine this with another 90 credits for a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) as long as the credits are gained within a five-year time span.

Fees and funding

The fee for this 30-credit CPD module is £1,896 (2026/2027 entry).

Fees and funding information

Apply

Find out how to apply for this module on the following webpage:

Apply now