The University of Manchester optometry teaching team has been awarded the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence by Advance HE for supporting post-graduate students and the glaucoma referral refinement scheme.
The team, consisting of Dr Catherine Porter and Manchester Royal Eye Hospital colleagues Professor Robert Harper, Patrick Gunn and Professor Cecilia Fenerty, were recognised for running a Professional Certificate in Glaucoma.
The team trained eye care professionals in glaucoma, who then contribute to Manchester’s ‘Enhanced Referral Schemes’ glaucoma services, which reduced hospital waiting times. The team said it increased the number of trained primary care practitioners in the Greater Manchester area by 300% in the past three years.
Dr Porter said: 'The University of Manchester and Manchester Royal Eye Hospital have a long and well-established history of collaborative working. We have always been passionate about post-graduate education of eye health professionals, to improve patient care and outcomes for all in the Greater Manchester area.
'Manchester was the first trust in the country to introduce a glaucoma referral refinement scheme, and we are delighted our teaching collaboration has been recognised by Advance HE with Manchester’s first CATE award.'
‘Every year as we select the NTFS and CATE winners, we are in awe of these extraordinary and gifted people who are teaching with such professionalism, passion and commitment in higher education - this year was no different,’ added Professor Becky Huxley-Binns, pro-vice-chancellor for education at the University of Hull, and chair of the UK Teaching Excellence Awards Advisory Panel 2023.
The awards ceremony will take place in Birmingham on September 28.