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NRC reopens its doors

The National Resource Centre (NRC) is the Association of British Dispensing Optician’s flagship meeting, events and examinations venue. The NRC is reopening for bookings from 6 July,

KOMONO X Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp Fashion Department

After a successful first edition, KOMONO is proud to renew its partnership with the fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. KOMONO worked together with three master students in the creation of a pair of sunglasses linked to the students’ personal work

4D pharma: phase II study of MRx-4DP0004 in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 open for enrolment

4D pharma plc (AIM: DDDD), a pharmaceutical company leading the development of Live Biotherapeutics, today announces that its Phase II clinical trial of oral immunomodulator MRx-4DP0004 for patients hospitalised with COVID-19 is now open to 

Jobs saved as family retail firm is sold after 100 years of serving the West.

The 'majority of jobs' at Norville Opticians, the retail division of The Norville Group, have been safeguarded after the group of practices was saved from administration.

OFNC Update: NHS Funding for Optical Practices across England and in local lockdowns

In OFNC recent discussions with NHS England on COVID-19 funding for optical practices in England, the OFNC has stressed the need for ongoing support in the event of local or regional lockdowns being introduced. 

Leicestershire coronavirus lockdown: areas and changes

Areas of Leicestershire that are included in the localised coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown and what this means. (See Map)

Over 140 professionals across all Vision Care Professions joined a RSM Webinar this week

The webinar entitled “Guiding patients and public with eyecare concerns during the Covid-19 Crisis” was provided free by the General Practice with Primary Healthcare section of the RSM, its largest section.

Ophthalmic Lens Availability, the optical lens bible, has moved online

Ophthalmic Lens Availability (OLA) brings together data found in an extensive range of manufacturers’ catalogues in one handy location.

BCLA provides Guidance in newly publshed document:: Returning to Practice in Covid-19

The new guidance document is available now.

BGF focuses on Bayfields Opticians with new investment

BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses, has invested in Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists

OKIA receives the INTERTEK GREEN LEAF MARK CERTIFICATION

OKIA strengthens its commitment to sustainability and has recently been awarded the Intertek Green Leaf Mark, a consumer product and systems verification that confirms your environmental claims have been independently verified 

Thousands to be offered repeat testing in care homes

10,000 residents and staff across over 100 care homes will be given coronavirus tests as part of a new surveillance study.

AOP responds to petition

AOP informs us that the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) will be looking into the matter regarding the GOC performance over Practitioners disobeying the lockdown requirements

Breaking News on CET Points for RSM Webinar to be broadcast Wednesday Lunch time (24th June)

AIO gets clarity from the GOC on what services practices could offer in lockdown

Independent body invites any breaches of lockdown rules to be reported

AIO meets with GOC Registrar to discuss The GOC's position on routine testing during the Lockdown by practices from March 23rd.

The AIO met with Lesley Longstone, Chief Executive and Registrar at the GOC on Thursday 18th June and agreed the following statement with them:

New saliva test for coronavirus piloted in Southampton

A weekly coronavirus (COVID-19) testing model using a new ‘no-swab’ saliva test is to be piloted in Southampton from this week (22 June) was announced by Matt Hancock this morning.

Is it really a turf war between independents and multiple staff or is that too simplistic?

ABDO’s response raises several questions about who is supporting the petition.

ABDO comments on GOC/Specsavers Petition

ABDO General Secretary Tony Garrett has had a number of members contact him about the on line petition calling for the GOC to be investigated over a perceived conflict of interest as evidenced by two seemingly contradictory documents issued by the GOC.

ABDO Library reopens

The ABDO College bookshop is now open again for all orders of books and optical equipment.

Update from the UK Chief Medical Officers on the UK alert level

An update from the CMOs for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on the alert level in the UK.

GOC under immense pressure on apparent U-Turn after response to Specsavers infamous video

Petition for the General Optical Council to be investigated for conflict of interest now reaches 5425+, needing 7500 for action to be taken.
It includes the following statement

ABDO goes online for assessments due to Pandemic as 3rd year Exam online fails

In order to progress students during the pandemic, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians has moved to online theoretical assessments.

Full speed ahead with caution, as OFNC release NHS Letter on resuming GOS work.

Today, June 17th , NHS England finally issues new guidance and an updated standard operating procedure (SOP), confirming that the sector can once again provide the full range of GOS services with immediate effect, subject to appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.

New Essilor Commercial Director

Essilor Ltd has announced the appointment of Alan Pitcher as commercial director.

IACLE launches The TLC (Teach. Learn. Connect) Initiative

The International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE) has today announced the launch of a new initiative to support educators, students and industry, and help reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global contact lens education.

Lockdown stories celebrated in new campaign

Specsavers is celebrating the real-life stories of customers and store colleagues during lockdown with a new campaign, "We were there", that went live this weekend.

Banbridge optician helps toddler get back her confidence

A 16-MONTH-OLD girl can now play happily with her toys and on her bouncy castle after being fitted with glasses at Specsavers during lockdown.

News Alert 14.00 June 12th : Get Ready to Start under Amber Phase

The College of Optometrists has announced that from Monday 15 June optometry practices across England can move to the amber phase in its guidance.BREAKING NEWS Routine Testing for self funded services from Monday

Silmo reconfirms October dates for this year

SILMO is t is committed to the Protection and Enhancement of the Optical and Eyewear Industry

RSM provides free webinar to vision sector on the effects on patients and the public on vision during the Covid Crisis.

Guiding patients and public with eyecare concerns during the Covid-19 Crisis

Mark your calendar now for Glaucoma Awareness Week 29 June – 5 July

For Glaucoma Awareness Week (GAW) 2020, we want more people in the UK than ever before to know just how important it is to look after your eye health 

PHN permanent page listing all Optical Companies providing emergency supplies and services to practices during pandemic.

During the Pandemic you will be able to find a list of all suppliers and their contact details who at the time of publishing are available to provide goods, services or verbal help to practices requiring help during emergency provision.

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