Welsh minister to join opening day of forum

The Sunday forum is a key part of the two-day Welsh National Optometric Conference, which will also feature a speech by Jane Hutt, minister of health and social services at the Welsh Assembly, on the opening day.
The conference, the second of its kind, will take place in the spa town of Llandrindod Wells from March 13-14. An hour and a half has been given over to the forum, which will be chaired by Mid Glamorgan optometrist Ben Lewis OBE.
'It is a chance to exchange views and report on local schemes that may benefit from being rolled out across Wales,' commented Michael Charlton, chairman of Optometry Wales.
'I am delighted that Jane Hutt will address the conference,' he said, 'and Gerry Lynch, the officer with responsibility for the Wales Eye Care Initiative, is able to join us for the afternoon and evening on the Saturday.'
Assembly minister Hutt will deliver her address, 'Developing optometric services in Wales', on Saturday (March 13) when there will also be lectures and practical sessions on low vision, the Primary Eyecare Acute Referral Scheme (PEARS), and a presentation on why OOs should work with social care staff for patient benefit.
There will also be an exhibition, followed by a reception and dinner.
Sunday will begin with Optometry Wales' annual general meeting, and a speech on ocular emergencies which will complement the PEARS session the day before.
The conference offers 10 CETpoints and will take place at the Hotel Metropole.
For further information on the event email Helen Tilley: helenphtilley.freeserve.co.ukWelsh practitioners will get the chance to suggest new optometric schemes and debate how to take the profession forward in the principality at a forum next weekend.
The Sunday forum is a key part of the two-day Welsh National Optometric Conference, which will also feature a speech by Jane Hutt, minister of health and social services at the Welsh Assembly, on the opening day.
The conference, the second of its kind, will take place in the spa town of Llandrindod Wells from March 13-14. An hour and a half has been given over to the forum, which will be chaired by Mid Glamorgan optometrist Ben Lewis OBE.
'It is a chance to exchange views and report on local schemes that may benefit from being rolled out across Wales,' commented Michael Charlton, chairman of Optometry Wales.
'I am delighted that Jane Hutt will address the conference,' he said, 'and Gerry Lynch, the officer with responsibility for the Wales Eye Care Initiative, is able to join us for the afternoon and evening on the Saturday.'
Assembly minister Hutt will deliver her address, 'Developing optometric services in Wales', on Saturday (March 13) when there will also be lectures and practical sessions on low vision, the Primary Eyecare Acute Referral Scheme (PEARS), and a presentation on why OOs should work with social care staff for patient benefit.
There will also be an exhibition, followed by a reception and dinner.
Sunday will begin with Optometry Wales' annual general meeting, and a speech on ocular emergencies which will complement the PEARS session the day before.
The conference offers 10 CETpoints and will take place at the Hotel Metropole.
For further information on the event email Helen Tilley: helenphtilley.freeserve.co.uk