New focus for CET

Two practitioners experienced in organising continuing education events are to launch a new CET provider in Northern Ireland.
Optometrists Janice McCrudden and Professor Jonathan Jackson, both based in Dromore, have set up Insight Optometric Education, a training company that aims to help practitioners gain essential CET points in the province. Its first event will take place on June 21, and six other events are planned for 2005-2006, with a total of 18 CET points.
As well as CET experience, both McCrudden and Jackson have been involved in the hospital eye service, and Professor Jackson has extensive international research interests.
'Jonathan and I had both been independently thinking of starting this venture in light of the legislation change for CET,' said McCrudden. 'However, being close work colleagues and having run jointly several education courses previously we felt that collectively we could deliver a higher-quality service bringing together a combination of both our skills.'
Insight's inaugural CET conference will take place at Portadown's Seagoe Hotel, with presentations from Professor Jackson, and Dr Giuliana Silvestri on the detection and management of visual impairment. The evening will provide two CET points for two lectures and there will also be a preview of forthcoming events, including a 'glaucoma evening'.
Insight's education programme for 2005-2006, at various venues, includes: September 13 'Rods, cones and sustaining optimal vision' (presentations on macular disease, retinal detachments and retinal imaging); October 11 'Optimising contact lens care' (lectures on new generation soft contact lenses, GP materials and contact lens care regimes); November 8 'Best care in optometric practice' (communication skills, record keeping and case histories); March 14 'The optometric management of glaucoma'; April 11 'Vision care for the over-40s'; and May 9 'The cornea and anterior segment'.
david.challinor@rbi.co.uk