In Other News

Mum’s the word. ABDO, The College of Optometrists and the Optical Suppliers Association (OSA) have engaged Mumsnet – the high-profile UK parenting platform – to help promote awareness of children’s vision. Mumsnet attracts some nine million unique users each month. The collaboration will see the creation of a number of projects “to further consumer-facing engagement.” Link

“Jumpstart” your speciality contact lens skills. An upcoming BCLA webinar aims to give eye care professionals “a blueprint for establishing a specialty contact lens practice and helping patients with complex corneas and ocular surface diseases.” Stepping Stones to Speciality Contact Lens Practice: Holding Back The Tears will be delivered by former BCLA president Keith Tempany and contact lens specialist Joserine Samson-Brogan at 7-8pm on Tuesday, February 18. Register here.

GOC on the move. The General Optical Council (GOC) has announced its relocation to new premises at One Canada Square in Canary Wharf, East London in May. The Council says that the new office is a smaller, more cost-effective space, and “will support the GOC’s agile, hybrid working style.” Chief Executive and Registrar Leonie Milliner added, “The cost savings […] will help us better deliver value for money and support the effective realization of our new 2025-30 corporate strategy.” Link

College of Optometrists responds to business regulation proposals. The College of Optometrists has broadly welcomed GOC proposals for changes to its framework for regulating optical businesses. The GOC proposals include bringing charities and university eye clinics into regulation; this will be “a positive step in enhancing protections for patients and staff,” says the College, “but we do have some concerns around duplication of regulation, and the impact of the administrative burden and cost.” While also welcoming the proposal to appoint a Head of Optical Practice (HOP) in each business, the College adds that such an appointment “could be challenging in some practices, and there could be many deterrents to individuals adopting the role.” Link