The Specsavers Clinical Conference (SCC) is returning in 2021 in a hybrid format, featuring virtual sessions and live events across five cities, commencing later this month.
After running the event online last year due to COVID-19, this year’s SCC – which is now in its 10th year and available to non-Specsavers optometrists – will deliver a mix of in-person and webinar events from May until October, with live events planned for Melbourne, Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.
The series kicks off with a live event in Melbourne at the Langham Hotel on 18 May, and will include a live streamed webinar for partners and optometrists across Australia and New Zealand.
The first event will feature presentations by Dr Ben Ashby, Specsavers director of optometry, Dr Elaine Chong, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH) and Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), and Dr Colin Chan, Vision Eye Institute.
Other speakers include Dr Angus Turner, Lions Eye Institute, Dr Ben Whithlam, Fred Hollows Foundation, and Dr Sean Cheng, Queensland Retina Specialists.
One of best-attended local optometry professional development events, each SCC event series will be eligible for both Australian CPD hours and New Zealand CD and General Points.
“Harnessing the large-scale data Specsavers has available, SCC covers topics relevant to optometrists working in primary eyecare through an ophthalmology-led educational program, delivering content that is impactful to practice as well as an extensive CPD/CD offering,” the company stated.
The Perkins awards
This year as part of SCC, Specsavers will also present its annual Doug Perkins Medal. It recognises clinical excellence, with last year’s prize going to the company’s Ipswich store in Queensland and Queenstown practice in New Zealand.
This year’s conference will also introduce a second award — The Dame Mary Perkins Award for Outstanding Patient Care. It recognises those who have positively impacted patients or customers and demonstrated how this exemplified one or more of the Specsavers behaviours.
Ashby said the SCC 2021 Series will continue to showcase best-practice resources and professional development to the broader industry.
“Last year’s online event series was a great success; however, we are excited to be able to get back to delivering some in-person events this year,” he said.
“Participants that can’t attend a live event still have the option to get online and experience the same engaging presentations and discussions from the best minds in the industry. We are committed to delivering professional development opportunities to all optometrists, whether that’s live or in-person.”
SCC is open to all optometrists, students and industry professionals across Australia and New Zealand and all events are free.
To register for an event visit SCC2021.com.au.
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