Seville event is success for Sight Care

Independents’ support organisation Sight Care has reported last month’s 2006 overseas conference was a successful mix of education and socialising.

Held in Seville it attracted over 50 delegates to the ‘Practice made perfect’ themed four-day event.

Sponsored by instrument maker Topcon, there were two half days of ‘intense conferencing and workshops’ and the visit also included entertainment, sightseeing and a Gala Dinner.

Practitioners Richard Petrie, Michael Blackstone and Nick Rumney gave useful descriptions of the issues confronting independent practitioners. Rumney closed the conference with a graphic presentation comparing the strengths and weaknesses of explorers Shackleton and Scott, relating the former’s leadership skills to modern-day management techniques.

Others who contributed included Topcon’s UK product manager Tony Ellison who gave a preview of the company’s latest advances in consulting room technology, and Sight Care’s chairman Adam Pilgrim.

Paul Surridge, Sight Care chief executive, said: ‘The feedback we have received so far from delegates points to another very successful event.
‘The speaker programme provided much needed debate on the future of independent practice and how Sight Care should respond to its members’ needs.’

He added that the ‘key topic’ throughout the conference was the importance of effective communication.