ABDO in the regions

February saw the much anticipated return of a local ABDO CPD event in Belfast after a two-year hiatus.

It was great to see the event so well supported, and there was a tremendous amount of discussion generated during the break out sessions.

During the evening, Johnson & Johnson Vision conducted a discussion workshop on contact lenses and gave a talk aimed at encouraging more dispensing opticians (DOs) to become contact lens opticians (CLOs). In Northern Ireland, the number of CLOs is limited, and this could be a valuable career move for those seeking something new. If this sounds like something that would be of interest to you, please don’t hesitate to contact me or the wider ABDO team for further information.

After the CPD session led by Johnson & Johnson Vision, members had the opportunity to interact with our sponsors. Subsequently, they participated in a peer review session on paediatrics facilitated by Zeiss. A huge thank you to Johnson & Johnson Vision, Safilo and Zeiss for sponsoring the event, and to all the DOs who attended the evening.

Working on vouchers change

Moving away from our local CPD evening, and considering some of the challenges faced in Northern Ireland, the query I receive most is regarding the use of GOS vouchers in myopia management. Unfortunately, Northern Ireland is the only nation where we are not allowed to claim the value from a GOS voucher towards a myopia management intervention. We are aware this is out of step with the situation in England, Scotland and Wales.

At ABDO, alongside our colleagues in Optometry Northern Ireland (ONI) and the other sector bodies, we are working hard locally with the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) to try to change their position on this, and to bring Northern Ireland in line Back in Belfast with the rules across the other home nations. Rest assured, we are diligently working in our members’ interests to resolve this issue promptly. We will provide updates as soon as they are available.

Northern Ireland is currently experiencing an exciting period of discussions regarding the future of GOS provision in the region. ONI is leading these conversations and is mindful of a highly trained workforce within the DOs in the region who can support our optometry colleagues within primary care. It would be fantastic to have more voices from DOs on the ONI committee as we look towards the future, and how the profession can be a bigger part of this.

If this is something you would be interested in being a part of it, please let me know.

Email sharding@abdo.org.uk

Steven Harding FBDO is ABDO regional lead for Northern Ireland. He delivers CPD and training to practices teams, and sits on the ONI Board.