A plan to support dispensing opticians in practice throughout 2023 has been published by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).
The professional body has created a guide to how it will support and represent membership, promote awareness of their roles, enable professional development and advance the profession.
Daryl Newsome, ABDO president, said: ‘Our annual plan showcases the unrivalled range of activity we will be carrying out for our members in 2023. We will be relentlessly focused on providing value for our members at the same time as highlighting the value that they bring to patients and practices throughout the UK.’
It included six priorities for 2023 that were in line with ABDO’s vision and values outlined in its wider Strategic Plan for 2022-26.
In 2023, ABDO said it would: review, enhance and promote the products, services and benefits that it provided for members; raise awareness of members’ roles among employers and other stakeholders; review and clarify ABDO’s priorities in relation to enabling members’ professional development; ensure it was equipped to meet the needs of members in both the short and long term; advance the profession by developing and implementing a research strategy; and review its international activity to ensure it delivered sustainable benefits for members.
‘These priorities will ensure your membership body is working in an efficient, focused and sustainable way for your benefit, both now and into the future. ABDO exists to meet the needs of members at every stage of their careers and we look forward to continuing to provide the support you need in 2023 and beyond,’ ABDO stated in its 2023 plan.
Member support
ABDO told Optician its members were currently asking about a wide range of topics including, recall intervals, locum rates, salaries for dispensing opticians (DOs), professional indemnity insurance, and translation for patients who do not speak English.
When asked how ABDO was supporting members through the cost of living crisis, the professional body highlighted its money saving benefits, such as discounts on supermarkets, DIY and home maintenance. ABDO has also issued advice on budgeting and offers services to aid businesses to save and cut costs, it said.
ABDO outlined in its 2023 plan that to better support the wide needs and interests of its members, it would place a stronger focus on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The professional body told Optician that EDI plans were in the pipeline and would be revealed soon.
Practice potential
Eye care professionals who looked to become a practice owner would benefit from an update to ABDO’s Independent Practice Guide and the opportunity to attend the Become an Independent event.
Nick Walsh, head of corporate development at ABDO, told Optician that business owners contacting ABDO were positive about the future and looking for new developments and ways to expand their potential, including audiology and minor eye conditions service.
‘One of the biggest challenges for an independent business is finding its niche and becoming well known for it. There is little or no point in trying to copy what you see in the multiples as an independent will not have the buying power needed to match those offers and promotions. ABDO offers much in the way of business advice and signposting via its business support hub.
‘Alongside this, ABDO offers its annual Become an Independent event, where it brings those looking to start a practice together with inspiring independent practice owners and companies offering relevant support services. There are several talks and the chance to ask questions of all speakers in small groups, which is backed up by resources such as the Independent Practice Guide to download from the Business Hub,’ Walsh said.
Role awareness
To promote awareness of its members’ roles in practice, ABDO would conduct a campaign to increase awareness among employers and research the perspectives of employers. ABDO said it would focus on social media engagement on channels such as LinkedIn.
Antonia Chitty, head of communications at ABDO, said: ‘DOs want to feel valued and use their full scope of practice at work, but employers don’t all realise the wide range of skills a DO can offer. Some practices don’t employ a DO when both the business and its patients might benefit from specialist dispensing skills.
‘The campaign, which will launch at 100% Optical, will help those without DOs learn about what a DO can offer, and those who already employ DOs will be able to make the most of their skills. This applies equally to contact lens opticians (CLOs), as ABDO aims to encourage employers to consider training optical assistants to become DOs and DOs to become CLOs, maximising benefits to the patients and the business, and providing employees with a fulfilling career path.’