Push for higher qualifications in the spotlight at PAC

Optometrists were encouraged to undertake further qualifications at the Specsavers Professional Advancement Conference (PAC) on 3 November at the Birmingham International Convention Centre.

More than 2000 optometrists, dispensing opticians and audiologists attended the event, which celebrated its 30^th anniversary this year.

Opening PAC, Specsavers clinical services director, Giles Edmonds, paid tribute to the work of conference delegates in supporting their communities and the NHS.

“There is so much that we can be proud of in the past year,” he said.

“The work you do each day in practice is so important in helping to save sight,” Edmonds highlighted.

He added that the conference provided an opportunity to reflect on the development of the profession, and how clinicians can continue to make a difference to patients in their communities.

Edmonds noted that this is in the context of an expanding scope of practice in Wales and Scotland, with the potential for positive change in England.

“We’re making great progress in our campaigning with senior politicians across the UK, but I need you all to be ready to deliver. The question I want you to ask yourself is not ‘whether I should be gaining higher qualifications?’ rather ‘which one should I sign up for?’ and ‘how quickly can I start?’,” Edmonds said.

He highlighted that Specsavers continues to fund professional certificates in glaucoma, medical retina and independent prescribing.

“These qualifications are not just incredible in taking your clinical decision making to the next level – they are now fundamental to our strategy to offer more eye care services in primary care,” Edmonds emphasised.

He added that for dispensing opticians Specsavers will be funding places on a new professional certificate in paediatric eye care.

A mixture of lectures, peer discussions and workshops were on offer at the annual event, with guest speakers including Professor Pearse Keane and Dr Peter Thomas from Moorfields Eye Hospital.

Clinical excellence and customer care awards

Specsavers founders Doug and Dame Mary Perkins handed out awards during a presentation ceremony at the event.

Clinical excellence medals were awarded to optometrists Jaswinder Singh Nagra for England, Matthew McKenny for Northern Ireland, Alana Moore for the Republic of Ireland, Jill Rooney for Scotland, and Sally O’Connor for Wales.

The dispensing optician award went to Rachel Clarke, while Matthew Gorst was named as the domiciliary winner. Natalia Frej from Scotland received the audiology medal for clinical excellence.

Specsavers teams in practices across the UK, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were recognised for their customer service. Optical winners were New Malden in England, Omagh in Northern Ireland, Clondalkin in the Republic of Ireland, Inverurie in Scotland and Newport in Wales.

The domiciliary winner was the Specsavers Manchester 2 service. Drogheda in the Republic of Ireland won the audiology award.