The College of Optometrists

27 April 2006

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The College is pleased to announce the launch of a new Peer Review Group Programme – an umbrella scheme designed to help small groups register with CETOptics and obtain CET points easily and cost-effectively.

The new Programme updates the College’s previous Peer Review Scheme, with which, following its establishment in 1997, almost 120 Peer Review Groups were registered with around 100 active at any one time. Small group discussions that focus on interesting cases, Peer Review Groups provide the opportunity for groups of practitioners to meet in an informal setting and share clinical ideas. The College recognises this important learning process and has always supported these groups, particularly through the accreditation of CET under the College-run scheme.

The new Peer Review Group Programme means that any new or existing Peer Review Group may apply to the College who will register that group with Vantage on their behalf. The College will charge a one-off administration fee of £5+VAT to each group registering in this way resulting in a real saving to the groups compared to the annual registration payable fee to Vantage.

The College will also provide to each group a generic template and step-by-step instructions on how to submit the CET application form to CETOptics as well as offering telephone help and advice to anyone who needs it. This will significantly simplify the application process.

Helen Crofts is Convenor of the Peterborough/Yaxley Peer Review Group, commenting on the College’s new programme she said

“I have been a member of a Peer Review Group since March 2000. The group members are all very enthusiastic about our meetings. We all agree that we benefit enormously from discussing case histories and exchanging ideas. As convenor, I currently have to apply to CETOptics for our points every 6 months. I welcome any scheme that makes this process more straightforward.”

For further information or to register a Peer Review Group please email.