News
SCOPE Independent Prescriber Bursary 2024 Awards
SCOPE celebrates excellence in optometry with the 2024 Independent Prescriber Bursary Awards.
Employers asked to get in touch with ABDO College to support launch of new apprenticeship programme for dispensing opticians
ABDO College is calling on employers with experience of offering apprenticeships to get in touch. We aim to launch our apprenticeship programme for dispensing opticians in September 2024, subject to General Optical Council (GOC) approval.
2025 SightCare Awards launched
The 2025 SightCare Independent Optician Awards celebrating the independent spirit opened for applications in July. The SightCare Awards recognise the best independent opticians from the length and breadth of the UK.
Stepper comes to the support of VCHP once again
STEPPER EYEWEAR has generously pledged to support VCHP again – marking the fifth year of engagement with the charity. This year’s £11,000 donation will be used towards the running costs of the Birmingham clinic, which runs every Monday at SIFA Fireside.
College of Optometrists urges next government to prioritise eye health
The College of Optometrists is calling on the next Westminster government to establish optometrists as the first port of call for anyone with an eyecare issue.
GOC approves SPOKE Project 5 output
The General Optical Council (GOC) has approved the fifth output of the Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE). The output is now available to download from the College of Optometrists website.
Kevin Gutsell became president of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians
Kevin Gutsell FBDO (Hons) SLD became president of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) during a ceremony held on Thursday 9 May at the ABDO National Resources Centre (NRC) in Birmingham.
ABDO Medal of Excellence awarded to Jo Underwood
Jo Underwood, founding principal of ABDO College, has been presented with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) Medal of Excellence in recognition for her outstanding service and commitment to the Association.
Belfry to host summer OSA meeting
The Belfry beckons for all OSA members from 10–11 June, as one of the most enjoyable events of the optical calendar.
UWE are triumphant in Optoversity Challenge 2024
University of the West of England School of Optometry emerged as champions in this years’ Optoversity Challenge, beating off competition from eleven other institutions from around the UK and ROI. Run by the student training provider Out of the Box Optics, the online event saw second place going to Bradford, and third place to Plymouth.
Obituary: a heartfelt goodbye to Roger Pope
One of the most admired of UK opticians, Roger Pope, holder of two Royal Warrants, has sadly passed away leaving a legacy as the greatest colleague and friend to the optical community.
New College of Optometrists President and Council members announced
The College of Optometrists welcomed a new President and seven new Council members at its AGM, held during the College’s clinical conference, Optometry Tomorrow 2024 - now incorporating BCLA Focus - in Telford on 29 April.
