London's Institute of Optometry has launched a private tutoring and mentoring programme, which is available to all students, pre-registration optometrists and qualified practitioners.
Launched after completion of a successful pilot, the programme will offer a wide range of optometric subject areas through the Institute's staff and visiting clinicians and lecturers.
Sessions at the Institute are available on a one-to-one basis or in groups and can be tailored to the individual's requirements.
Programme leader Susan Cowling said: 'The service is designed for anyone who would like to brush up on their clinical skills, hone their knowledge base before examinations or even those who want to learn a whole new set of clinical skills.'
She added that the pilot programme had been popular with pre-reg students in need of extra coaching, non-EEA practitioners taking exams and optometrists returning to work after a career break.
'We have also mentored practitioners wanting to learn new clinical skills, with a number of requests from people for gonioscopy, which is particularly pleasing in view of the recent NICE guidance on glaucoma.'
Director of education at the Institute, Dr Sandip Doshi described the programme as flexible, meaning it could accommodate other eye care professionals in trainee ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nurses and orthoptists.
He added: 'During these tough times optometry will continue to evolve. It is only by enhancing our clinical skills and learning new ones that practices will continue to see growth the mentoring programme is an ideal tool in achieving this goal.'
? Details: email course@ioo.org.uk