Trustee Profile – Angela, Trustee for Scotland
What do you love about being an orthoptist?
I love the impact I can have on a patient’s well-being. The effect you can have with something as simple as a prism, allowing that patient to lead a more normal life, can be very rewarding. The patient’s happiness when I can correct their diplopia and give them reassurance of their eye condition helps my well-being as well as theirs. I feel I make a difference to my patients.
Why did you become an orthoptist?
I have a squint and double vision!! I thought it was normal and never had any treatment. I had never heard about an orthoptist before and read about it in a careers book, so thought I would find out more. I did some work experience in the local orthoptic department, and found it fascinating!
How did you get started volunteering with BIOS and why?
Throughout my career, I have looked at ways to support the profession and support orthoptists in other areas. I had been involved in the Scottish Practice Development group which generated contact with each Board in Scotland to support us all but Scotland had no BIOS Trustee at the time. The new Chair and Vice Chair came to a Scottish meeting and told us their vision for BIOS and I felt it was the right thing to do to get involved. We needed Scotland to be engaged in BIOS, so I thought why not me?! I can do that!
What is your proudest achievement in the role?
The connection between Scotland and BIOS is now better than it has ever been, and members tell me they feel that BIOS is making a difference for them. The current board is progressive in its thinking, planning and work ethic. We continue to grow and are working to future-proof the profession for the future – I am proud to be a part of all of that.
What’s the best thing about volunteering for BIOS?
I have met some amazing people, made many friends, and had some great opportunities in the Trustee role. I have attended conferences, events, and meetings I would otherwise not have the chance to be a part of. My confidence in voicing my opinion and in my leadership skills have grown greatly, and the insights have gained have given me a very different view of my day-to-day role. The Trustees are there to support us all and it is always a team effort where I have been made to feel valued and respected. I cannot recommend it enough; it has been a valuable and insightful experience.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the orthoptic profession?
Recruitment and retention are always a challenge. With the most recent BIOS workstreams, we are breaking the barriers for this slowly. Applications this year to the undergrad courses have increased hugely and we will continue this work, but BIOS will also focus on retention and support for all members in their orthoptic careers.
Why is BIOS important?
Without the professional body, there would not be an orthoptic profession as we see it now. As a small profession, we need the collective and collaborative work BIOS provides. Without BIOS no one would hear us when we say – we can do that! We can support children and young people, we can support adult services, we can support local MDT teams in stroke, falls, visual impairment, we can support our ophthalmology and optometry colleagues by advancing into other roles to alleviate service stresses and support service users. Without BOSTU, no one would hear us when we say – no that’s not fair! No, we are worth more than that, no to poor working conditions, no to bullying and discrimination. BIOS and BOSTU create a family unity for members, there is support, guidance and help at each stage of our careers. Without it, we wouldn’t be seen or heard, and I don’t think we would survive and grow the way we are.