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Association News
5 September 2014
Issue 147
ABDO gets social with the launch of EyecareFAQ
ABDO has developed its own consumer-focused social media channels with the aim of answering the most frequently asked questions about eyecare and eyewear, while making the public more aware of the role of the registered dispensing optician.

ABDO’s monthly EyecareFAQ social media campaign is focused on the users of optical practices themselves and, in particular, women in the 25 to 55-year-old age bracket who act as guardians of the family’s health.

ABDO has started with answers to FAQs about children’s eyecare, adult eyecare, spectacle frames and lenses. In coming months, the social media channels will focus on topics such as specs for driving or sport, occupational dispensing, as well as looking at issues like sight loss, eyecare for older adults and low vision aids, and contact lenses.

All the content is hosted on a special EyecareFAQ section of ABDO’s main website. This section is designed for consumers, and makes it easy to track data on how many people are clicking through from the social media channels, and follow their interests. Beyond that, the big plus of taking consumers to the ABDO site is that they can see that the information they find via social media comes from trusted professionals.

As part of the EyecareFAQ initiative ABDO is developing infographics packed with key facts about eyecare in a visual format – hence there’s a growing number of useful, shareable resources that can help ABDO members promote their professional services.

Follow EyecareFAQ:

And remember to share on your practice and personal social media pages

Visit the EyecareFAQ webpages
ABDO goes digital with Fun Kids radio
ABDO has teamed up with Fun Kids, the digital radio station, to raise awareness of eye care and the role of opticians with children and their parents.

ABDO hope to build engagement with children and families through the creation of the Hallux’s i-Guide – an educational audio series of eight 5-minute episodes and twelve 60 to 90 second fastfile features.

The initial broadcasts commenced on Monday 1 September and will run daily at 5.00pm until Sunday 14 September 2014.

A total of 12 fastfile features and 8 episodes have been produced, in addition an iGuide section consisting of 15 pages has been added to the Fun Kids website – all of which can be accessed by clicking here.

Over the past week, Fun Kids has been running a Hallux’s i-Guide competition to further drive awareness of the new series and the online pages. This is currently being promoted by all of the Fun Kids radio presenters across the week, reminding listeners about when to tune in to hear the i-Guide and directing them to enter online. It was also featured in the weekly Fun Kids newsletter that goes out to 25,000 parents.

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Optical Confederation appoints new chairman
The Optical Confederation (OC) has announced the appointment of Chris Hunt as its new chairman.

Mr Hunt (pictured right above) will take up the position in October, succeeding the current chairman, Don Grocott (pictured left above).

Mr Hunt has extensive optical experience, having held a number of CEO appointments within large international corporations engaged in spectacle manufacturing, diagnostic equipment manufacturing and optical retailing. He is the current Master of The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers and a trustee of its Education Trust. He is a qualified dispensing optician and also works as a strategic development consultant for a number of companies.

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Optoms Cycling for Sight – Tour of Yorkshire
Spirits were high on Sunday 24 August as 37 optical professionals from across the UK completed the ‘Optoms Tour of Yorkshire’ cycle challenge, significantly adding to the £9,500 raised so far as part of the Optoms Cycling for Sight challenge in 2014.

Cyclists set off from Leeds at 7.00am with others joining in Hawes and East Witton. The route looped through the Yorkshire Dales National Park before finishing in Harrogate. The 120 mile route took approximately 11 hours to complete with the first riders finishing at 6.00pm.

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GOC’s Samantha Peters addresses changing optical professions Read More
GOC launch campaign to recruit new Council members Read More
Important message from the GOC regarding MyGOC Read More
BCLA Clinical Conference submissions open as new category is announced Read More
NOC 2014 Poster Competition – deadline approaching! Read More
Five marathons in three months to support OGS! Read More
More needs to be done to look at preventing blindness in the community, according to Tony Garrett
Click here to view the video
Click here to visit EYE TV News
ABDO membership benefits: QA - IT training
ABDO members can take advantage of discounted IT training from QA.

QA is one of the UK’s leading training companies, offering a complete range of courses and learning services.

ABDO members, and the businesses where they work, qualify for a huge range of discounts including 45% off all Microsoft Desktop Applications training (including Word, Excel and PowerPoint) as well as discounts on a wide range of technical IT training*.

View more information or alternatively contact Sunny Tumber on 01753 898 342 ensuring you quote PHABDO.

*Terms and conditions apply. See website for details. Offers subject to change without notice.
ABDO Area 10 (Kent) - Monday 22 September 2014

CET MEETING - HAWKHURST

6.30pm buffet, for 7.00pm start

The Queen's Inn, Rye Road, Hawkhurst, Kent TN18 3EY

  • 6 CET points
  • Lecture from Johnson & Johnson
  • Small group Visual Recognition Test
  • Peer discussion
Book online now
ABDO Area 7 (West Country) - Thursday 2 October 2014

CET DAY - BRISTOL

8.30am to 5.40pm

Aztec Hotel & Spa, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, South Gloucestershire BS32 4TS

  • 8 CET Points
  • Free of charge to ABDO members
  • Come along and have a great day!
For more information click here
SCLOSS course - Sunday 23 November 2014

SCLOSS COURSE - GLASGOW

8.15am - 5.30pm

Radisson Blu Hotel, 301 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8DL

  • 15 interactive CET points for CLOs
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President’s Consultation Day - 19 November, Birmingham

The next ABDO President’s Consultation Day will be held at the Aston Business School, The Aston Triangle, Birmingham, West Midlands B4 7ET, on Wednesday 19 November 2014. All members are invited and welcome to attend.

To confirm your attendance email Jane Burnand at jburnand@abdolondon.org.uk by Friday 31 October.

ABDO online event booking payments

If you are booking online to attend an ABDO CET event and there is a payment required to attend, your booking will only be valid if the payment is made at the time of booking online.

If payment is required but not taken, then you will not be eligible to attend the event.

Please note payments cannot be made on the day of an event.

Low Vision Honours Course

An opportunity to develop your professional skills and help others

Due to changing demographics the demand for specialist low vision services is steadily increasing. By enhancing your low vision skills you can greatly help others, which is both valuable and extremely rewarding. The Low Vision Honours Course includes the theory and practical aspects of low vision consultation and fully prepares candidates for the ABDO Level 6 FBDO (Hons) LVA examinations. Distance learning assignments are complemented by a short block release at ABDO College to reinforce practical skills and routine.

  • Course commences: January 2015
  • Method: Blended learning
  • Entry requirements: ABDO Level 6 Fellowship Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing (FBDO) and GOC registration
  • Duration: 25 weeks
  • Block release accommodation can be provided
  • Application deadline: December 2014

For further information click here, for application forms please contact the ABDO College Courses Team on 01227 738 829 (Option 1) or email info@abdocollege.org.uk.

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