From break to brilliance: clinical skills workshops for returning optometrists

Andrew Coates

Originally from the United States, Andrew completed his undergraduate optometry degree from Ulster University, after which he obtained his Master of Science in advanced ophthalmology practice from UCL in 2021.

Andrew currently works as a locum optometrist and clinical educator for different training institutions including Aston University, where is also studies for his PhD in contact lens aftercare.

Andrew is dedicated to helping students and colleagues build their confidence, develop their skills, and form meaningful connections within the profession.

Hasan Akhtar

Hasan is an optometrist and director at Taylor Biddle Opticians, having graduated from Aston University in 2016 and with experience working in various High Street opticians. He has gained professional certificates in medical retina and glaucoma and is also an independent prescriber.

Hasan returned to Aston University in 2018 where he became a clinical supervisor teaching in all years of the degree programme. He serves on the board of his local optical committee, is a member of faculty at the Johnson & Johnson Institute and is an assessor and examiner for the College of Optometrists.

Ceri Smith-Jaynes

Ceri is a specialty optometrist, the clinical editor for multimedia at Optometry Today (OT) and a media spokesperson for the AOP. Her role mainly involves creating CPD videos, delivering peer review and writing clinical content for OT. She works in independent practice in Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire. Her special interests include prescribing for anterior eye disease, dry eye, orthokeratology and irregular-cornea contact lens fitting.

Daisy Kynman-Sprinks

Daisy worked as an optometrist in High Street practice before her enthusiasm for studying optometry inspired her to pursue a PhD in myopia management. She also supervises undergraduate optometry practical sessions and oversees patient care in the Aston Eye Clinic as a clinical instructor at Aston University.

Daisy has worked with Johnson & Johnson on their Success Through Education Programme (STEP), delivering both virtual and in person learning to pre registration optometrists. Her teaching has covered a wide range of topics, including ophthalmoscopy, contact lens care, and preparation for College of Optometrists’ assessments.

Marie-Therese Hall

Marie-Therese graduated from the University of Manchester in 2008 and completed her pre-registration year with Dollond & Aitchison. Since qualification in 2009, she has worked in both multiple and independent practice in the North East of England in a variety of different practices.

Marie-Therese joined Johnson & Johnson Vision as a professional affairs consultant in October 2017, where she enjoys developing and delivering a variety of education and training programmes to fellow eye care professionals.

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.

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.

Lecture: Best practices for history and symptoms

Effective communication is essential for providing high-quality optometric care. This lecture will focus on the communication and record-keeping elements during patient interactions within the history and symptoms segment of a primary care eye examination. Attendees will learn about best practices and common pitfalls in patient communication, ensuring a comprehensive and patient-centred approach to optometry.

Learning outcomes

• Optometrists will be able to conduct an appropriate history and symptoms assessment
• Optometrists will explore various ways for using appropriate and effective communication with patients in a primary care setting.

Speaker

• Ceri Smith-Jaynes

Skills workshop: Optometric examination round 1 

This workshop is designed for optometrists, seeking to enhance their clinical skills and patient care techniques in a controlled, supportive environment. Delegates will receive hands-on experience in performing a comprehensive routine eye examination in a timed setting. Participants will rotate through roles, practising both as clinicians and patients, covering the key components of a standard eye examination, including history and symptoms, refraction, and communication. 

Learning outcomes

• Develop proficiency in taking a detailed patient history and identifying key symptoms
• Build confidence in managing time efficiently during routine eye examinations
• Communicate effectively with patients.

Speakers

• Andrew Coates 
• Hasan Akhtar
• Ceri Smith-Jaynes
• Daisy Kynman-Sprinks.

Skills workshop: Optometric examination round 2

This workshop is designed for optometrists, seeking to enhance their clinical skills and patient care techniques in a controlled, supportive environment. Delegates receive hands-on experience in performing a comprehensive routine eye examination in a timed setting. Participants will rotate through roles, practising both as clinicians and patients, covering the key components of a standard eye examination, focussed on clinical examination and ocular health screening. 

Learning outcomes

• Improve competency in conducting a comprehensive routine eye examination
• Build confidence in managing time efficiently during routine eye examinations
• Communicate effectively with patients.

Speakers

• Andrew Coates 
• Hasan Akhtar
• Ceri Smith-Jaynes
• Daisy Kynman-Sprinks.

Skills workshop: Confidence in contact lens care

This hands-on skills workshop has been designed to ensure practitioners feel equipped with the practical skills and confidence needed to manage a variety of different contact lens patients. The session will be split into three stations, each station focussing on spherical, toric, and multifocal contact lens wear. Delegates will have the opportunity to practise various investigations and assessments and be able to share their own thoughts as well as listening to those of the other members of the group.

Learning outcomes

• Practitioners will have the opportunity to build on their current contact lens practical skills, understanding the importance of keeping their knowledge and skills up to date
• Practitioners will explore the importance of a comprehensive and appropriate anterior eye assessment when managing both new and existing contact lens wearers
• Practitioners will reflect on their current contact lens practical skills and knowledge and explore ways to ensure a safe patient environment is maintained.

Speakers

• Marie-Therese Hall
• Nicola Soukal
• James Hall.

Peer review: A lifetime of contact lenses

How can practitioners ensure they keep up with changes in patients’ lifestyle and visual needs over time? By following a patient through their lifetime of contact lens wear, this peer review will consider effective ways that practitioners can identify patients’ evolving visual, ocular and lifestyle demands, and ensure their patients are continually provided with the best contact lens wearing experience for their current needs.

Learning outcomes

• Practitioners will appreciate the importance of a obtaining a full patient history in order to recommend the most appropriate contact lens to meet the patient’s current lifestyle and visual needs
• Practitioners will consider effective ways to recommend a visual solution to patients, ensuring the patient is fully involved in the decisions made about their care
• Practitioners will reflect on their current soft contact lens knowledge and understand the importance of keeping their knowledge and skills up to date.

Speakers

• Marie-Therese Hall
• Nicola Soukal
• James Hall.
  
  

Address

ABDO National Resource Centre
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.

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

Transport

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

By 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 3-minute drive. The postcode to enter into the Sat Nav is B6 5RH.

By bus – The 65 and 67 buses can be taken towards the venue. It is 5-minute walk from the bus stop to the venue.

By car – The postcode to use with your Sat Nav is B6 5RH, please use this when planning your route. It is within 5 mins of junction 6 of the M6 motorway (Spaghetti junction). More driving directions can be found here.

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 plague on them to ensure delegates park in the correct bays.

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 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 5 working days of being notified, your place will be offered to the next person on the waiting list.