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College Council meets in Edinburgh
College Council meets in Edinburgh
20 November 2009
The College of Optometrists’ Council met last week in Edinburgh for the annual Council away day.
Dr Rob Hogan, President of the College, opened the two-day event, stressing that the meeting provided a valuable opportunity for Council to review its strategic priorities.
Dr Cindy Tromans, Vice President of the College, reported on the outcome of the Board’s recent blue skies session focusing on the future regulation of optometry. Council members went on to discuss the imminent introduction of performance reviews for Council and Board members. Dr Tromans explained that performance reviews are an essential part of good governance and provide a powerful way of understanding the Board and Council’s strengths and any areas for improvement.
Council heard a presentation on the introduction of the College’s new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme from Fiona Nixon, Director of Professional Services. Ms Nixon highlighted the differences between CET and CPD, stressing that CET is compulsory and maintains professional knowledge and skills at the current entry level of competence for re-registration. Continuing Professional Development is voluntary and is the continued advancement of the knowledge, skills and expertise of an optometrist through a range of learning activities in order to develop and improve standards of professional practice and patient care. Council was asked to consider how it can help communicate the right messages about the importance of professional development to College members. The Scheme will be available online from Monday 23 November.
Josephine Mullin, Director of Education, led a discussion about the College’s role in the implementation of the new NICE guidance on Glaucoma. She underlined the importance of the work of the College led Joint Group on NICE Glaucoma Guideline. The group aims to produce supplementary guidance about glaucoma case finding and referral and gives all those affected by the recent increase in referrals the opportunity to work together to achieve a joint solution.
Council went on to have a broad discussion about the development of the College’s Public Affair’s strategy. The group considered how to build upon current activity and focused on the critical issues that should form the priorities for any future work. The meeting closed following a presentation from Sonal Rughani, Council member for the London region and senior adviser for the RNIB. Ms Rughani focused on RNIB’s 2009 – 2014 Strategy which has three clear priorities: Stopping people losing their sight unnecessarily, supporting independent living and creating an inclusive society.
President Dr Rob Hogan with Scottish Council member, Malcolm McPherson.
Malcolm entertained Council members before the dinner which preceded the Council meeting!
The College of Optometrists’ Council met last week in Edinburgh for the annual Council away day.
Dr Rob Hogan, President of the College, opened the two-day event, stressing that the meeting provided a valuable opportunity for Council to review its strategic priorities.
Dr Cindy Tromans, Vice President of the College, reported on the outcome of the Board’s recent blue skies session focusing on the future regulation of optometry. Council members went on to discuss the imminent introduction of performance reviews for Council and Board members. Dr Tromans explained that performance reviews are an essential part of good governance and provide a powerful way of understanding the Board and Council’s strengths and any areas for improvement.
Council heard a presentation on the introduction of the College’s new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme from Fiona Nixon, Director of Professional Services. Ms Nixon highlighted the differences between CET and CPD, stressing that CET is compulsory and maintains professional knowledge and skills at the current entry level of competence for re-registration. Continuing Professional Development is voluntary and is the continued advancement of the knowledge, skills and expertise of an optometrist through a range of learning activities in order to develop and improve standards of professional practice and patient care. Council was asked to consider how it can help communicate the right messages about the importance of professional development to College members. The Scheme will be available online from Monday 23 November.
Josephine Mullin, Director of Education, led a discussion about the College’s role in the implementation of the new NICE guidance on Glaucoma. She underlined the importance of the work of the College led Joint Group on NICE Glaucoma Guideline. The group aims to produce supplementary guidance about glaucoma case finding and referral and gives all those affected by the recent increase in referrals the opportunity to work together to achieve a joint solution.
Council went on to have a broad discussion about the development of the College’s Public Affair’s strategy. The group considered how to build upon current activity and focused on the critical issues that should form the priorities for any future work. The meeting closed following a presentation from Sonal Rughani, Council member for the London region and senior adviser for the RNIB. Ms Rughani focused on RNIB’s 2009 – 2014 Strategy which has three clear priorities: Stopping people losing their sight unnecessarily, supporting independent living and creating an inclusive society.
President Dr Rob Hogan with Scottish Council member, Malcolm McPherson.
Malcolm entertained Council members before the dinner which preceded the Council meeting!