Deadline for Leadership course and new recruitment video for LOCs in December edition of LOCSU News
Deadline looms for Leadership Course, new Recruitment Video for LOCs, AGM planning tips, LOCSU at 100% Optical and new look for DOCET in December edition of LOCSU News.
Welcome to the December edition of LOCSU News. Recruiting new officers and succession planning are a perennial consideration for LOCs. With this issue in mind, LOCSU - in conjuction with Optometry Today magazine - has produced a new video looking at the benefits of joining an LOC. Along with a template presentation, the resources can be used as a recruitment tool for LOCs. I hope you find it useful. AGM planning is also on the horizon. Our article points to the LOCSU website which contains guidance as well as hints and tips on hosting a successful event. And for those thinking about career options, applications for the LOCSU Leadership Course close on 4 January 2019. Seasons greetings to all our readers.
An urgent reminder that candidates looking to join LOCSU’s Leadership Skills for Optical Professionals course have until Friday 4 January 2019 to apply.
The Leadership course is open to optometrists and dispensing opticians who are FBDO-qualified or who are BSc qualified.
LOCSU is again funding 10 places on the 2019 course which is a 20-credit postgraduate module and part of WOPEC’s MSc programme at Cardiff University.
The module has produced many successful candidates who are now leading the development of primary eyecare services in Primary Eyecare Companies and LOCs, as LOC Officers, as Clinical Governance and Performance Leads, as LOCSU Commissioning Leads and in Local Eye Health Networks.
This course is designed to enable the practising optical professional to become an effective leader at local and national level within the optical sector through the support and development of LOCs and LEHNs, building effective strategic networks, influencing policy makers and enhancing eye health services for patients.
It provides an understanding of current leadership models and theoretical approaches and will give delegates the background knowledge and practical skills that will equip them to provide leadership in the optical sector.
To download an application form and for more information, visit the LOCSU website.
New recruitment video available for LOCs
Videos which explain the role of the Local Optical Committee are now available for LOCs to use.
The short videos are primarily aimed at pre-reg students and feature members of the LOCSU team explaining the benefits of joining the LOC.
Launching the videos, Head of Communications, Chris McGachy, said that they could be used by all LOCs as a valuable recruitment tool.
“Our main objective was to connect LOCs with their nearest optometry course and give final-year students an introduction to the role of the LOC as part of their wider professional development.
“The videos have an accompanying presentation which can be adapted by LOCs to explain what extended eyecare services exist locally, the role of the Primary Eyecare Company, how to attend LOC meetings as an observer and what training is available.
“Feedback from both colleges and students has been very positive and we would encourage LOCs looking to promote their activities to make use of the new resources."
Visit the LOC Resources section of the LOCSU website to access the presentation which includes links to the video.
Pathways to be discussed at 100% Optical
Details of the new refreshed glaucoma pathway will be outlined at 100% Optical next month.
There are around 600,000 people with glaucoma in the UK today and early diagnosis and treatment is vital to prevent irreversible sight loss. Glaucoma is the second biggest cause of blindness. 80% of all glaucoma cases annually originate from primary care, but a significant number of patients with glaucoma remain undiagnosed as some patients do not routinely have their sight checked – the principle route for spotting potential glaucoma.
Post-diagnosis, nearly all patients receive follow-up care in hospital though around half can be managed by a suitably-qualified optometrist in a local practice, providing care much closer to the patient’s home.
LOCSU Commissioning Leads, Zoe Richmond and Dharmesh Patel, will be discussing how optical practices are well placed to support the identification and long-term monitoring of patients with glaucoma.
Zoe said that the recent publication of new guidance relating to glaucoma provides clarity and opportunity for the optical profession.
LOCSU will also be outlining work to update other optical pathways. The seminar takes place on Sunday 13 January at 14.45. For more information and to book, visit the CET & Seminar pages of 100% Optical.
Planning a postal vote for your AGM?
With some LOCs holding their Annual General Meeting as early as February, now is the time to start thinking about notifying members of the arrangements.
Although the normal notification period for AGMs is 21 days, for LOCs allowing postal votes, a further 21 days meaning a total of seven weeks is required constitutionally.
LOCSU is urging LOCs to put their plans in place now. The purpose of an AGM is for LOCs to report on the committee’s activities of the past year, present the audited accounts of the past year, appoint auditors for the following year, vote on any resolutions, and elect the members of the committee. According to the Model Constitution, the AGM must take place within three months of the end of the LOC’s financial year.
It states: “A minimum period of 21 days’ notice must apply to the AGM plus a further 21 days for postal votes (making 42 days in total), so it becomes vital to have appropriate information to hand well in advance of the chosen date, particularly the audited accounts."
For tips on transparency and turnout and guidance on running an AGM visit the LOCSU website. Alternatively, LOCs can watch a short video on our LOCSU YouTube Channel.
Pocket-size approach for DOCET
DOCET, the government-funded CET site, has had a major overhaul with new bite-sized, interactive learning courses.
Updated content consists of short video and audio clips with all your CET tracked and recorded in one place.
The Directorate of Optometric Continuing Education and Training (DOCET) was set up by the Department of Health to oversee the management of government funds set aside for the provision of optometric continuing education and training for all UK registered optometrists.
DOCET produces and distributes award-winning distance e-learning materials. Visit the DOCET Courses page to access the wide variety of available DOCET training resources.
Keeping knowledge and skills up to date through continuing education and training is essential to ensure that the services optometrists provide are fit for purpose and to assure the public of the continuing competence of practitioners. Completion of CET is a mandatory requirement of the General Optical Council (GOC) and more information about the GOC’s CET requirements can be found on the GOC website.
DOCET also provides financial assistance to help local optical groups and communities who want to run their own CET courses, meetings or events. Visit the Funding pages to find out more about the financial help available and how to apply.
They would be delighted to receive feedback on the website or on any DOCET resources. Email them at enquiries@docet.info.
Still time to submit NOC feeback
If you enjoyed the workshops or our guest speaker, or would like to see something specific on next year's NOC programme, you still have time to rate any of the sessions and give us your conference feedback.
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