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Association News
24 March 2017
Issue 202
ABDO response to GOC Strategic Education Review consultation

ABDO has submitted a comprehensive and forward looking paper to the GOC in response to the consultation they are holding on the future of optical education in the UK. ABDO’s response to the consultation can be viewed here.

The review is a once in a generation opportunity to seek and deliver change. ABDO sees this as an ideal time to promote the skills of qualified dispensing opticians, to press for a wider and more appropriate scope of practice and to bring greater flexibility for our members. Extending knowledge, providing new career opportunities and better care for patients lies at the heart of our submission. It is our view that there is every reason to believe that the profession will to continue to grow and expand its role in what are certain to be times of change.

ABDO will be campaigning hard in support of our submission and the enhanced role we seek for colleagues. We are delighted that the Optical Confederation's response has been fully supportive of our aspirations.

The ABDO board is unanimous in its support for this initiative and is extremely grateful to Alicia Thompson, ABDO’s director of professional examinations, for compiling such an excellent document.

ABDO board - Election of directors 2017

Notice is given of the election of directors to the board of ABDO 2017

There will be two board places open for election in 2017. One seat is currently held by a member entitled to seek re-election: Jo Holmes. In addition, a casual vacancy has arisen.

Nominations are sought from fully qualified members of the Association who wish to make a meaningful contribution to the future of the profession. ABDO board members are required to attend four board meetings per year, attend at least two nationally organised meetings a year and the ABDO annual meeting. In addition, board members are expected to attend a range of committee meetings both within ABDO and externally.

All candidates will be asked for a submission of up to 500 words in which they are asked to detail any relevant experience they can bring to the board and outline their aspirations for the future of ABDO.

Members who may have a conflict of interest (ie, by holding board, senior management or political positions with other optical bodies or rival organisations) may not be eligible for election.

Any person seeking election should complete the nomination form, with the required signed nominations.

Completed nomination papers should be returned to the General Secretary, ABDO,199 Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6LD no later than 10.00am, Thursday 1 June 2017.

If there are more valid nominations than seats vacant then a ballot will be conducted by the Electoral Reform Services, The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW. Ballot papers will be dispatched by Monday 10 July 2017, and must be returned by 12 noon, Wednesday 30 August.

Those elected will take up their duties on Friday 1 September 2017. Their period of office will be for three years.

LOVE YOUR LENSES WEEK • 25-31 MARCH 2017 Read More

ABDO GALA DINNER

• SUNDAY 2 APRIL 2017
• BIRMINGHAM METROPOLE

BOOK ONLINE NOW

Click here to read more and book online

ABDO AT OPTRAFAIR

• 1-3 APRIL 2017
• BIRMINGHAM NEC

EXTRA SESSIONS ADDED TO THE ABDO CET PROGRAMME

Click here to read more and view the ABDO CET programme

ABDO STUDENT REVISION EVENT

• 3-4 MAY 2017
• YARNFIELD


NOW EXTENDED TO COVER PQE AND FQE PRACTICAL REVISION

Click here to read more and to book online
ABDO ANNUAL MEETINGS • SUNDAY 2 APRIL 2017 • BIRMINGHAM NEC Read More
ABDO social media update

To tie in with the new ABDO regional structure there are new Twitter and Facebook accounts for each region to make it easier for you to find local ABDO events and other news. Please follow the account that ties in to your region – you may want to like two pages if you live and work in different regions, and when you've done that, please invite and tag colleagues too:

LONDON

MIDLANDS AND EAST OF ENGLAND

NORTH OF ENGLAND

SOUTH OF ENGLAND

NORTHERN IRELAND

SCOTLAND

WALES

Ophthalmic Lenses Availability - New 2017 Edition

AVAILABLE NOW FROM ABDO COLLEGE BOOKSHOP

The definitive guide to spectacle lenses, coatings and tints available in the UK

Ophthalmic Lenses Availability collates information from leading lens manufacturers enabling you to rapidly locate the most suitable lenses for your patients. A valuable dispensing aid, the guide includes:

  • Manufacturers’ data
  • Lens data files
  • An availability index
  • PPL corridor length and fitting heights
  • Materials, tints and coatings
  • Lens engravings list

Simply known as 'The Lens Bible’!

Click here to order online
Re:View - the ABDO College newsletter

In the April 2017 issue of Re:View Kevin Gutsell talks about about his 25 years as a tutor and if his experiences stimulate your interest then you can find out how to become a distance learning tutor.

Also included in this issue, there are valuable tips on how to give a presentation, and useful practice equipment information with a check list of compulsory items for any practice with a trainee DO.

The profile feature outlines the career pathway of Monika Reinberger-Smith and you can also find out about her amblyopia screening research.

Finally, there are news articles relating the College’s move to Moodle, social media and the new BSc (Hons) in Vision Science course.

Click here to view this latest issue
Foundation Degree / BSc (Hons) in Ophthalmic Dispensing

Working in partnership, ABDO College and Canterbury Christ Church University are proud to offer a comprehensive blended learning degree course for prospective dispensing opticians:

  • The only blended learning degree course in ophthalmic dispensing available in the UK
  • Leads to a BSc (Hons) degree and the registerable FBDO qualification
  • Equips students with the ability to problem-solve within the practice, benefiting both students and their employers
  • Establishes a platform to build further career advancement
  • In most cases, student finance is available
Read More
ABDO COLLEGE REVISION COURSES - Summer 2017 Read More
LEVEL 4 DIPLOMA FOR OPTICAL TECHNICIANS COURSE - (SMC Tech) Read More
ABDO STUDENT DROP-IN SESSIONS AT OPTRAFAIR - Sunday 2 & Monday 3 April Read More
Vision Aid Overseas’ success in southern Ethiopia

After three successful years of working in partnership with DFID, Essilor UK Ltd and GTM, Vision Aid Overseas was able to:

  • Screen 184,491 people for eye conditions, with 50 per cent of them being women and girls
  • Provide life changing glasses to 14,909 patients
  • Treat 5,150 patients for minor surgery to correct their vision
  • Train 710 teachers to screen school children and identify common eye problems
Read More
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