AOP education programme supports locum optometrists

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is partnering with Johnson & Johnson Vision to provide an educational programme of free events targeted to the specific needs of locum practitioners.

The programme launches on 5 July with a peer discussion and workshop in London, accompanied by a virtual class two weeks later. Tailored to the unique needs of locum practitioners, the event will focus on safe practice through continuity of care and multifocal contact lens fitting. In addition to providing enhanced skills and knowledge, the event also aims to give practitioners the valuable chance to discuss and share ideas with peers.

The programme has already proved extremely popular, with the first event becoming fully booked within a day of launch. Ian Beasley, AOP Head of Education, commented, “There has been significant growth in the locum sector in recent years – the largest rise of any group within the AOP’s membership is locums – and the AOP, working in partnership with Johnson & Johnson Vision, recognises the specific educational requirements of these practitioners. The first event in London was fully booked extremely quickly, demonstrating the appetite, in the sector, for content of this type.”

The AOP, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson Vision, will run three similar regional events in 2017. These will support other locum focused member benefits, including the Association’s new template employment contracts and locum listing service.

Sheetal Patel, Manager at The Johnson and Johnson Institute, UK stated, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the AOP to deliver education that is relevant to the locum practitioner in current optometric practice. We understand the need to support this important group of practitioners and look forward to continuing to help with their professional development for the benefit of enhancing patient care.”

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For more information, please contact Serena Box, PR and Media Manager at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 020 7549 2063.

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Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the UK. We support our community of more than 17,000 members to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. As a founding member of the Optical Confederation we work with others to improve eye health for the public good. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk

Optometry Today
Optometry Today (OT) has a readership of 15,000 members and subscribers. OT was named as the ‘Best Professional Association or Royal College magazine’ at the MemCom 2016 Awards. Organised by MemCom – the networking organisation for membership marketing professionals – the awards recognise and celebrate excellence within the membership sector. The OT website offers subscribers exclusive access to over 65 CET exams per year, including bi-monthly CET video content. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk/ot

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