We were thrilled to host a highly engaging and informative CPD evening at CHEC Newcastle Gateshead recently, focusing on the essential topic of Minor Ophthalmic Procedures. The event, held on Tuesday, 13th May, marked a special occasion as it was the first time Mr Juan Alberto Lopez Ulloa, MD, MSc, a highly skilled ophthalmic surgeon specialising in cataract surgery, hosted a CPD lecture for CHEC. The evening kicked off with a warm welcome for all attendees, predominantly Optometrists, who gathered for hospital tours and refreshments. This provided a fantastic opportunity for our guests to explore CHEC Newcastle Gateshead’s state-of-the-art facilities first-hand and connect with colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere. The core of the evening began with the highly anticipated CPD workshop and Q&A session, expertly led by Mr Ulloa. His extensive knowledge and practical insights into minor ophthalmic procedures proved invaluable. Attendees were able to delve into critical aspects of: Clinical practice: Gaining a deeper understanding of the techniques, best practices, and considerations involved in various minor ophthalmic procedures. Communication: Enhancing their ability to effectively communicate with patients about these procedures, manage expectations, and ensure clear, compassionate guidance throughout the patient journey. The interactive format of the workshop, coupled with a dedicated Q&A segment, ensured that attendees could directly engage with Mr Ulloa, posing questions and discussing real-world scenarios. This hands-on approach is crucial for fostering a deeper understanding and immediate applicability of the learning. The evening concluded with attendees collecting 2 valuable CPD points and, more importantly, a wealth of new knowledge and sharpened skills to apply in their daily practice. We extend our sincere thanks to Mr Juan Alberto Lopez Ulloa for his exceptional presentation and for making his debut CHEC CPD lecture such a resounding success. His expertise and engaging delivery were greatly appreciated by all, with the feedback from those who attended was overwhelmingly positive: “I felt this session was excellent and Juan is an excellent and engaging speaker.” “Incredibly useful session, well-presented and relevant information.” “Great session! Very informative and interesting.” We are incredibly grateful to all the Optometrists who joined us; your dedication to continuous learning is what drives excellence in eye care. We’re also grateful to our sponsor, Surgitrac, for their support in making this event possible. We look forward to hosting more enriching CPD events at CHEC Newcastle Gateshead and across our network, continuing to empower eye care professionals with the knowledge and skills to provide the best possible outcomes for patients. Interested in attending one of our CPD events? CHEC out our upcoming events here Well, what a day it was! The sun was positively beaming down on Delta Hotel Preston, the recently refurbished Victorian manor house providing the perfect backdrop for our first CPD Conference to which we were absolutely delighted to welcome over 80 optometrists and dispensing opticians. The event offered optometry professionals a unique opportunity to earn nine CPD points, enhancing their professional development in an effective and efficient way. And speaking of points, a whopping 696 CPD points were handed out by the time the day wrapped up at 3pm! The buzz in the room was palpable from the moment registration opened at 9 o’clock. It was brilliant to see so many familiar faces, and equally lovely to welcome a host of new ones, all eager to soak up the knowledge and bag some valuable CPD points. A massive thank you to our Senior Partnership Executive, Yaseen Shah, who was a fantastic host, ensuring everything ran smoothly and keeping the smiles coming throughout the day. The agenda was packed with insightful sessions, delivered by our very own expert team, kicking off the CPD sessions, CHEC’s very own Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Director, Mahmoud Rabie, gave delegates the lowdown on the newest cutting-edge intraocular lens options for cataract surgery, bagging them 2 CPD points focusing on their clinical practice and professionalism. Following that, CHEC’s Ophthalmologist, Moemen Elnawawy, delivered a fascinating look at global perspectives on glaucoma, another session that earned attendees 2 CPD points in clinical practice and professionalism. After a well-earned breather, our National Clinical Lead, Karen Dewhurst, led an engaging discussion on the clinical decision-making in cataract referrals, a valuable session worth 3 CPD points aimed at boosting both clinical practice and communication skills. To round off the afternoon, there was an interactive visual recognition test and discussion about common presentations in the community, which secured delegates a further 2 CPD points in clinical practice. CHEC is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of patient care and enhancing the development of optometry professionals. A key part of this ongoing commitment is supporting the CPD cycle with comprehensive training and sharing ophthalmic knowledge. The CPD Conference is the latest in a series of learning opportunities offered by CHEC, reinforcing its dedication to patient safety and quality care. Nicole Stevens, CHEC Events Manager “CHEC is proud to work in partnership with optometry professionals and support them in delivering the highest standards of patient care. Hosting our first full-day CPD Conference was a great opportunity to share our ophthalmic expertise and connect with the optometry community in the North West,” says Nicole Stevens, CHEC Events Manager. “CPD events play a vital role in ensuring healthcare professionals stay at the forefront of their field. We’d like to thank everyone who joined us for making the conference such a success. We’re looking forward to building on this momentum with future events that support professional development with engaging, evidence-based education.” The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive, with delegates praising the quality of the presentations, the opportunity to network with colleagues, and the sheer convenience of gaining so many CPD points in a single day. We must also extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors: Surgitrac, Scope, Galloways, and UCLan. Their support was invaluable in making this conference such a triumph. It’s safe to say our first CPD Conference was a cracking success, and we’re already looking forward to planning the next one! Keep your eyes peeled for future announcements – we’d love to see you there! View CHEC’s CPD calendar and register your interest