News release
Wednesday 10 April 2013
Become a volunteer member of a College reference group
The College of Optometrists is looking for volunteers to join new reference groups to increase ways in which optometrists can engage with the College.
The reference groups are for:
- Pre registration trainee optometrists
- Newly-qualified optometrists
- Independent prescribing optometrists
- Hospital optometrists
The reference groups will act on behalf of their respective group of optometrists and will provide a sounding board for the College to refer to on specific documents or matters wheretheir views could be incorporated into the College’s activities.
Volunteer members of the groups will be asked for their input and comments via email, with an opportunity for members to meet face to face once a year. There may also be opportunities to join a working group focusing on a particular issue.
Chief Executive, Bryony Pawinska, said: “We want to increase the ways in whichall optometrists engage with the College, so we are looking for volunteers to join our new reference groups.
“This is an excellent opportunity for members of our profession to communicate their views clearly and to be a part of the conversation in helping to move forward the work of their professional body.”
Other than pre registration trainees, who are all College members, volunteer members of these groups do not have to be a member of the College.
More information on the reference groups and how to apply can be found on the College website The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 3 May.
Ends
For more information please contact Philip Chandrapal, Marketing and Communications Executive.
Telephone: 020 7766 4384 Email:
Notes to editors
- The College of Optometrists is the professional, scientific and examining body for optometry in the UK, working for the public benefit. Supporting its 14,000 members in all aspects of professional development, the College provides pre-registration training and assessment, continuous professional development opportunities, and advice and guidance on professional conduct and standards, enabling our members to serve their patients well and contribute to the wellbeing of local communities.
- The College’s seven assessment regions for volunteer pre-registration trainees are:
- South London - South of Thames to south coast including Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset
- North London - North of Thames including Northants, East Anglia and Oxfordshire
- South West – South and Mid Wales, West Country including Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall
- Midlands – Worcestershire, West Midlands, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire
- North West and Northern Ireland – Cheshire, North Wales, Gtr Manchester, Merseyside, Preston, Burnley, Blackpool, Lakes
- North East – North and South Yorkshire, Humberside, Teeside, Tyneside, Northumberland
- Scotland
- The term of office for group members of independent prescribing and hospital optometrists will be for a minimum of two years and a maximum of six. For newly qualified optometrists, group members will be expected to serve two years and up to a maximum of four upon qualification. Volunteer members applying for the newly qualified optometrist reference groups will need to have been qualified within the past two years at the time of appointment. The term of office for pre-registration trainees will expire upon qualification.
- Volunteer members all groups will be reimbursed travel and subsistence expenses when attending meetings, in line with College Standing Orders in force at the time.