Locum Clinical Skills Conference 2026 - Birmingham

Session A

Discussion workshop: Myopia management on the move – case studies for locum optometrists

Using practice-based scenarios, this session delves into key aspects of myopia management, including effective communication at the outset and throughout follow up, approaches to monitoring progression, and practical decision making across interventions. The workshop creates a collaborative space for practitioners to share perspectives, consider different approaches, and enhance confidence in delivering consistent, evidence based myopia care across varying clinical contexts. Participants will develop adaptable strategies to support safe, effective management for young patients and their families.

Learning outcomes

• Practitioners will be able to outline myopia management options to patients
• Practitioners will be able to make practical decisions about myopia management interventions and recognise how to monitor progression.

Speaker: Dr Yasmin Whayeb

Session B

Discussion workshop: Help! I’m a locum and...

This discussion workshop looks at common clinical, ethical and regulatory scenarios encountered by locum optometrists, and how to manage them effectively in practice. The scenarios are based on the most common queries received by the AOP’s clinical and regulatory team, with a focus on managing risk for both patients and practitioners.

Learning outcomes

• Practitioners will identify strategies to ensure the delivery of safe care to patients
• Practitioners will recognise the importance of maintaining good clinical records.

Speaker: Henry Leonard

Session C

Discussion workshop: Hospital Eye Service referrals – a simple guide for locum optometrists 

Locum optometrists often work across wide-ranging clinical environments and may find themselves in situations where they feel significant pressure on clinical decision making particularly when faced with potentially urgent presentations requiring same day referral to eye casualty. This workshop uses three carefully selected case studies to emphasise the importance of recognising red flags, understanding when same day referral is essential, and identifying situations where community monitoring or routine referral is more appropriate. Participants will leave with practical strategies they can apply immediately in any locum setting.

Learning outcomes

• Practitioners will be able to identify red flags for a range of conditions to guide patient management relative to their scope of practice
• Practitioners will recognise when, and how quickly, to refer a range of clinical presentations to secondary care depending upon their scope of practice.

Speakers: Dr Waheeda Illahi and Urvasee Patel

Session D

Discussion workshop: Sliding doors from a presbyope's perspective

This interactive discussion workshop will explore key moments in the contact lens journey of presbyopic patients, illustrating how small clinical decisions can serve as "sliding doors" moments, shaping patients’ perceptions and their contact lens experience. The session aims to encourage practitioners to reflect on how their communication and habitual fitting habits influence patient outcomes, with scenarios demonstrating how everyday clinical interactions can impact patient satisfaction and overall quality of life.

Please note: This discussion workshop features on the programme at 100% Optical 2026 so is unsuitable for delegates who attended the same session at that event.

Learning outcomes

• Practitioners will recognise the importance of a obtaining a full patient history, including the relevance of establishing ocular and lifestyle needs associated with presbyopia
• Practitioners will reflect on how they inform patients about suitable presbyopic visual correction options, with an emphasis on the features and benefits of soft multifocal contact lenses
• Practitioners will reflect on their current knowledge of soft multifocal contact lenses, and how to ensure this is kept relevant and up to date.

Speakers: Sarah Marsden, Nicola Soukal, James Hall, Janki Shah-Speak and Neelam Patel

Peer review

Peer review: Through their eyes – astigmatism

This session delves into the real-world experiences of three astigmatic patients. Through video interviews and guided peer discussion, delegates will reflect on the emotional and lifestyle impact experienced by these patients, evaluate practical strategies to enhance patient satisfaction and reinforce the importance of patient-centred communication.

Learning outcomes

• Practitioners will recognise the importance of gathering a complete patient history, including lifestyle needs, to recommend the most suitable contact lens that meets each patient’s requirements
• Practitioners will explore ways to enhance their communication skills, ensuring that patients fully understand the benefits and features of all available correction options and are actively engaged in decisions regarding their care
• Practitioners will identify the various soft toric contact lens materials and designs available for patients.

Speakers: Sarah Marsden, Nicola Soukal, James Hall, Janki Shah-Speak and Neelam Patel

Henry Leonard

Henry is the head of clinical and regulatory at the AOP and has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including independent opticians, small groups and large multiples. He is an active member of his Local Optical Committee, serving as clinical governance lead for Buckinghamshire, and also runs a small domiciliary practice in his area.

In his role at the AOP, he provides tailored advice to individual optometrists throughout the UK and is involved in drafting clinical and regulatory guidance for the wider membership. He also provides clinical opinions to assist the AOP’s legal team in representing and defending practitioners who are the subject of employment, NHS or GOC investigations, and in respect of civil claims.

James Hall

James qualified as a dispensing optician in 1992 after which he had a variety of roles in practice management, as a contact lens optician and a franchise director. He currently works as the contact lens and anterior eye specialist at the University Hospital of North Midlands in Newcastle under Lyme, North Staffordshire whilst also working as a professional affairs consultant with Johnson & Johnson where he is engaged in delivering a variety of education and training programmes to fellow eye care professionals.

Janki Shah-Speak

Janki qualified as an optometrist in 2006 and has worked across independent practices, High Street multiples, as well as the hospital eye department. She is a keen mentor and has supervised student optometrists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians. Joining Johnson and Johnson Vision as a professional affairs consultant in 2019, Janki enjoys coaching and delivering education and training to colleagues.

Neelam Patel

Neelam has 20 years’ experience as an optometrist in practice and field-based roles working for a large multiple. Working part time as a professional affairs consultant and faculty team member with the Vision Team at Johnson and Johnson, allows her to fulfil her passion for facilitating learning through coaching to provide excellence in patient care. Neelam also works closely with the professional education team to develop learning materials and co-author CPD.

Nicola Soukal

Nicola qualified as a dispensing optician in 1997 following completion of her BSc in Mathematics and then in 2017 she registered as a contact lens optician (CLO). She works in Norwich as senior CLO for Specsavers where in addition to her clinics, she writes and delivers training to help development of practice colleagues. Since 2024, Nicola has combined her time in practice with her role as a professional affairs consultant with Johnson & Johnson Vision where she facilitates training and education across Cambridgeshire, Essex and East Anglia.

Sarah Marsden

Sarah started her career in optics in 1987 and qualified as a contact lens optician in 2002. Having a variety of roles in practice and regional management, Sarah joined Johnson and Johnson in 2011 as a presbyopia specialist and now works as a professional affairs consultant and a locum. She is an ABDO tutor for both dispensing and contact lenses and is a member of the Johnson & Johnson Institute faculty. Sarah’s passion is supporting fellow clinicians to deliver excellence in eye care to their patients.

Urvasee Patel

Urvasee is a specialist optometrist with extensive experience in extended role ophthalmology clinics. She began her career in community practice before joining the hospital service over 11 years ago. Her current role at the Birmingham Midland Eye Centre (BMEC) is predominately based in eye casualty along with ophthalmology outpatient clinics including cornea, medical retina, vitreoretina and uveitis clinics.

Dr Waheeda Illahi

Waheeda is head of optometry at the Birmingham Midland Eye Centre (BMEC). Over the past 15 years, she has supported the progressive expansion of hospital optometrists’ roles across eye casualty, glaucoma, medical retina, and other ophthalmology subspecialties within this tertiary referral centre. Waheeda is dedicated to ensuring that optometrists are appropriately trained and clinically competent to deliver both core services and extended roles.

Dr Yasmin Whayeb

Yasmin is a postdoctoral researcher and clinical supervisor at Aston University, whose work centres on advancing evidence-based myopia management. Her research focuses predominantly on clinical trials evaluating both optical and pharmaceutical interventions for myopia control, with a particular interest in translating emerging evidence into meaningful clinical outcomes. Alongside her research, Yasmin combines clinical teaching with academic insight to encourage evidence‑based practice, helping students and practitioners provide safe and effective myopia care.

Address

ABDO National Resource Centre
4th Floor
Aqueous II Building 
Aston Cross Business Village (off Rocky Lane) 
Chester Street 
Birmingham 
B6 5RQ 

Location

The ABDO National Resource Centre is located 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) from Birmingham City Centre within the Aston Cross Business Village. Once you arrive, please make your way to the Aqueous II Building.

A site map of the Aston Cross Business Village. Please locate “Block 8” for the Aqueous II Building.

Transport

Train

Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Moor Street and Aston are the nearest train stations.

Taxi

Taxis are often available from outside of the station. It is approximately a 15 minute drive from Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Moor Street stations. From Aston train station it is a 17 minute walk or a 3 minute drive. The postcode to enter into the Sat Nav is B6 5RH.

Bus

The 65 and 67 buses can be taken towards the venue. It is a five minute walk from the bus stop to the venue.

Car

The postcode to use with your Sat Nav is B6 5RH, please use this when planning your route. It is within five mins of junction 6 of the M6 motorway (Spaghetti junction). View more driving directions.

Parking

There is a free car park onsite for up to 40 cars. Spaces are allocated on a first come first served basis. These parking spaces can be found opposite and adjacent to the National Resource Centre building. Spaces have an NRC plaque on them to ensure delegates park in the correct bays.

On-street parking can also be found opposite the entrance to the building on Chester Street. Other options would be parking in Birmingham City Centre and taking a taxi to the venue.

When do I select my CPD workshops?

There’s no need to select workshops before attending as delegates will have the opportunity to rotate between all sessions.

I’m no longer able to attend, how can I cancel my booking?

Please email [email protected] if you need to cancel your booking. The team will be able to ensure your cancellation and refund is processed.

Please note: Our event event terms and conditions apply to all bookings. Please refer to the ‘transfers & cancellations’ section for more information.

The event is sold out, can I join a waiting list?

Yes, please email [email protected] to be added to the waiting list. If a place becomes available, a member of the AOP events team will get in touch to notify you.

Please note: If you do not claim your spot within two working days of being notified, your place will be offered to the next person on the waiting list.