A woman who dialled 999 to tell police she was standing outside Specsavers and could not find her glasses has made newspaper headlines. Devon and Cornwall Police reported a number of inappropriate emergency calls as it appealed for people to use the 101 number for non-urgent problems. Other emergency calls had included a request for police to test plug sockets and a complaint about the volume of a neighbour's radio.
Education providers have been invited to contact the College of Optometrists about running accredited courses in glaucoma and low vision. The College qualification levels now include the professional certificate, professional higher certificate and professional diploma. City and Cardiff universities have developed courses for the professional certificate in glaucoma, with City reporting an 89 per cent pass rate. Contact 020 7766 4362.
Sight Care has announced the schedule for its 11 regional business meetings in October using the theme Rudderless Ships to underline the importance of business plans. Sight Care chief executive Paul Surridge said: 'Business has been tough for many independents across the UK this year, and while the Olympics has been a huge PR success for UK Plc, many businesses have suffered as people have stayed at home watching the event rather than spending on the high street, and optics has not been immune.'
Changes to the General Optical Council's CET scheme from next year will be presented to eye care professionals at the National Optical Conference (NOC). Linda Ford, head of education and standards at the GOC, has been confirmed as a speaker at the event, which is being held at the Hilton Metropole, Birmingham, on October 18 and 19. Ben Dyson CBE, director of policy commissioning and primary care for the Department of Health, will be the keynote speaker.