Covid: Keeping you updated 15

As a result of the global pandemic, and subsequent further action by the government, face to face teaching and assessment activities within higher education institutions were suspended from March. This was a significant challenge for all institutions but especially those with professional and/or statutory body requirements. Within the optical sector this affected optometry, ophthalmic dispensing, independent prescribing programmes, higher qualifications and other postgraduate delivery. For optometry, the challenge was extensive as a substantial quantity of the various curricula involves clinical and practical elements. Additionally, the General Optical Council (GOC) requires all students to show evidence of their competence in a number of defined core competencies and in specified patient experience. This patient experience also includes a required number of hours within the hospital eye service. Obviously, exposure to patients, including fellow students, as well as experience in the hospital setting was no longer feasible.