As the Optician Awards judges prepare to deliberate over a record number of entries Birmingham Optical and technology partners Nidek have lent their support to the Enhanced Practice of the Year Award.
Entries to the Optician Awards have rocketed this year despite a lower number of categories. As entries closed 233 full entries had been made with applicants putting their case for victory forward through the Awards website. Alongside the written entries are a range of supporting materials such as photographs, product samples and testimonials.
The main judging will be conducted through panels of four for each of the 12 practice categories today (February 6). The net for judging the product awards is cast wider still with past winners and prominent practitioners adding their selections and thoughts to the judging panels. The shortlists will be drawn up early next week and finalists sent their invitations to the Awards pre event reception which takes place in London on March 3.
One of the new categories for 2015 is the Enhanced Practice of the Year which is designed to recognise and reward practices that have taken the scope of their practice into primary care or other procedures. This will now be supported by Birmingham Optical and technology partners Nidek. The Optician Awards night has also secured support from Tesco which is sponsoring the drinks reception.
The Optician Awards will be presented at a black tie event on April 18 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole next to the NEC on the Saturday night of the Optrafair weekend.