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For more information on this project go to https://www.orthoptics.org.uk/developing-the-orthoptic-non-registered-workforce/ Non Registered support work force for Orthoptics We are pleased to advertise an exciting opportunity for 3 part time paid secondments to support the development of the Non registered Orthoptic workforce across the UK. Background There are many terms used for the job roles for support staff who are managed by orthoptists and who contribute so positively to patient care, patient pathways and treatment.  Local job descriptions are developed to suit the needs of the local service and across the UK and ROI (except in Wales) there [...]

The impact of COVID-19 will have taken its toll on all of us in some way. Many allied health professionals have been working extra hours, either responding to COVID-19 directly or backfilling to enable others to do so. Some will have been unable to respond because of health conditions, place of work or other personal circumstances and this has been stressful too; I’ve heard AHPs expressing feelings of guilt related to not being able to help. As we prepare for what could be a difficult winter, now is the time to focus on looking after ourselves and our colleagues. What [...]

For those of you who do not already know me, I am the Orthoptistes de la Communauté Européene (OCE) also known as the European Orthoptic Committee representative for BIOS and appointed the OCE secretary in 2017.  As a member of BIOS you are also a member of the OCE. The OCE is the spokesperson for the orthoptic profession on European topics and liaise with European government bodies and organisations and national orthoptic societies. For further information about the OCE please see the recently revised website: https://euro-orthoptics.com/  Impact of covid for orthoptists across Europe Covid-19 has resulted in changes in orthoptic [...]

Orthoptists in developing countries continue to lack access to current medical textbooks and journals that provide basic, practical information to enable them to deliver safe, effective care. Additionally, Orthoptists who IOA volunteers have taught, often lack local orthoptic colleagues to provide advice and model and they may have little or no access to continuing education opportunities such as teaching rounds, symposia or conferences where research and care experiences are discussed. The IOA Volunteer Programme is attempting to address the orthoptic “information poverty” found in low resource countries and support those we train by creating an electronic library. When fully realized [...]

The UK Stroke Forum (UKSF) was held between the 3rd and 5th December 2019 in Telford and saw over 1200 delegate come through the door. BIOS was represented by the Stroke and Neuro-Rehab CAG academic lead and members of the steering committee. They ran a charity stand throughout the conference which was well stocked with leaflets and information promoting orthoptics and the benefits of having orthoptists working within the stroke team. Several orthoptists made themselves known to be in attendance by visiting the BIOS stand. There was a lot of footfall to the stand with a lot of interest in [...]

BIOS have had a very kind donation from the family of an Orthoptist who sadly passed away this year and remembered BIOS in her will. We would like to use the money to support new graduate BIOS members to attend the 14th Congress of the International Orthoptic Association (IOA), which will be held in Liverpool in June 2020. This is an opportunity to learn about recent advances in the field of orthoptics and ophthalmology and to meet colleagues from all over the world. The conference is only held every four years, and it is unlikely that it will be held [...]

I have been attending a series of meetings led by Health Education England (HEE) to support professional bodies and with a profession as small as ours they know the reach and impact is greater than just orthoptists in England. The first two workshops were concerned with the recruitment of students to the courses and the requirements to apply and successfully enter our undergraduate programmes and I would like to thank Helen Davis, BIOS Chair of the Education and Professional Development committee (EPDC), for attending the second workshop. The last two workshops have concentrated on Clinical placements capacity for our undergraduate [...]

On Friday 1st November 2019 at High Wycombe Hospital Lecture Theatre we held the Orthoptic Visual Processing Difficulties Clinical Interest day. The day was excellently attended by both Orthoptists and Optometrists with brilliant feedback from the speakers as well as the attendees. We had an enthusiastic room full of professionals keen to share their knowledge and experiences to assist us to not only investigate our patients but to the best and most accurate of our ability. The first speaker was Professor John Stein. Professor Stein is Emeritus Professor of Physiology at the University of Oxford. Although retired, he still teaches [...]

As part of a BIOS research project, we want to assess the experience new graduates have in their first year of working, and look at what support tools are put in place to help them develop into an autonomous practitioner. The best way to do this is by asking our new graduates! We are recruiting participants to come and talk to us about their experience with any support tool they were assigned when they started working after graduating. We will be conducting informal focus group interviews for new graduates and mentors to discuss, in groups, your experiences of the support [...]