Top 10 tips: Peterborough

Plan and be flexible. Change any plans based on lessons learned – don’t be afraid to amend your original plan.

Engage Clinicians and Optometrists and involve all so that if one individual causes problems, you have others to fall back on.

Communicate with all GPs, Optometrists and Clinicians regularly.

If possible, ensure that Optometrists have or can develop the necessary skills and knowledge before ordering any equipment for them.

Test and check any plans with service users/ patients – is it what they want?

Administration process for the project – be flexible as it's bound to change once the project starts - then review as necessary.

Disseminate findings/progress/good news regularly to keep team motivated.

Think about audit before you start. What information might be useful? If you think about this before you start, you can ensure it is collected.

Select project team personnel carefully. Decision makers are essential to avoid time wasting. ‘Doers’ rather than ‘Talkers’ are needed otherwise you won’t get anywhere. Meet regularly at first. You can always reduce the frequency of the meetings once everything is up and running.

Keep smiling (through gritted teeth if necessary!) and be enthusiastic – it will keep everyone else motivated!

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