Blwyddwyn Newydd Dda!

from all of us at WOPEC! We hope you had a great festive break.

Postgraduate Award Modules launching in April 2012

The closing date for the enrolment on the Postgraduate Taught Programmes at Cardiff University is FRIDAY 16 MARCH.

The modules starting next term include:

Paediatric Eye Care, Management of Tear Film Disorders and Legal Aspects of UK Optometry.

Other modules running next term are: Low Vision Vision 3 (advanced), Glaucoma 2 (intermediate) and Glaucoma 1 (referral refinement).

Have you completed LOCSU Glaucoma Training?

If you have completed the Glaucoma training provided via LOCSU/WOPEC, you should consider enrolling for the follow on PGT Glaucoma 1 module next term (OPT010). Successful completion of both will allow you to apply to the College of Optometrists to receive their Professional Certificate in Glaucoma. More details about this can be found here:

http://www.cf.ac.uk/optom/degreeprogrammes/pgt/modules/postgraduate-glaucoma-modules.html

Disc Dilema Day Returns

On Sunday 24 June 2012, there is another chance to attend a day that is aimed at how to detect the glaucomatous optic disc and differentiate glaucoma from other normal and abnormal disc appearances. There are lectures and lots of practicals with grand rounds examining patients and peer review sessions. The cost is £95 which includes refreshments and food.

WEHE/PEARS peer reviews

WOPEC have started the first round of peer review discussion groups around Wales with WEHE/ PEARS accredited optometrists and OMPs. The first event was held in Wrexham followed closely by another one in Carmarthen. Over the next six weeks there will be another nine similar events across Wales and in total, about 350 optometrists will attend.

WOPEC chose to use peer review discussion groups to encourage practitioners to share their case management experiences from their day to day practice. Despite initial apprehension, optometrists seemed to enjoy the discussions and found the sessions really useful.

Roger Rees from west Wales said, “I came along very anxiously and went away feeling that it was the most productive education I have experienced.”

Rachel Mason said “Uplifting, educating and an excellent confidence builder.”

WOPEC have used a model with six practitioners and a trained facilitator discussing pre-prepared cases and referral letters. Next time practitioners will be asked to bring their own cases.

From January 2013 the GOC will make peer review discussion groups a compulsory CET activity for all optometrists in the UK. Barbara Ryan from WOPEC said,

“All the evidence suggests that optometrists should be doing this modality of continuing education. It’s been really good to see that in practise they have found it be useful and enjoyable.”

Professor Alison Bullock from the Cardiff Unit for Research and Evaluation in Medical and Dental Education at Cardiff University is working with WOPEC to evaluate the peer discussion groups. Nick Sheen said,

“We hope the results of this will evidence that case discussion peer review groups are effective and worthwhile for the profession.”

Discussion between a small group of optometrists

Press Release – Ministerial visit to WOPEC

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths, visited the first postgraduate education centre for optometry in the world – based in Cardiff.

The Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre (WOPEC) is accommodated within the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences at Cardiff University.

Not only do they provide a dedicated facility for eye care education, a wide range of postgraduate courses and short courses for eye care professionals, they also provide the flexible training and accreditation for optometrists in Wales to support the Welsh Eye Care Initiative (WECI).

Optometric and optical services have developed differently in Wales to the rest of the UK and the main difference is the WECI, funded by the Welsh Government.

WECI includes the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service (DRSS), Low Vision Service (LVS) and Wales Eye Health Examination (WEHE)/Primary Eye Care Acute Referral Scheme (PEARS).

The Welsh Government’s support means the School of Optometry can deliver all of the training and accreditation to the 450 optometrists across Wales who are responsible for implementing the Initiative.

The Health Minister was met on Monday January 16th by Professor Tim Wess, Head of the School of Optometry and Vision Science in Cardiff University.

The Minister, Lesley Griffiths said:

“The Welsh Government’s continued commitment to fund WOPEC’s work to implement the Wales Eye Care Initiative means eye patients across Wales can get the best treatment.

“There are two key aims of WECI, the first to preserve sight through the early detection of eye disease and the second to provide help to those who have visual impairment for which further treatment is not appropriate.

“WOPEC provides a dedicated facility for eye care education for a diverse range of optometrists, related professionals, healthcare commissioners and companies in the UK, Europe and across the globe and is yet another example of Wales leading the way in health care.”