Webinar to discuss ‘brave new world’ of practice in a pandemic

Webinar to discuss ‘brave new world’ of practice in a pandemic

The first BCLA webinar of 2021 will examine how clinical care has needed to adapt in the ‘brave new world’ of optometric and hospital practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The interactive online session, to be held from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Tuesday, 2nd February, will be hosted by Rakesh Kapoor and Ankur Barua and registration is now open.

Signalling the start of a series of digital learning activities hosted by the BCLA throughout 2021, the webinar will explore how, despite the upheaval caused by the pandemic, eye care professionals have been able to provide a credible service to their patients by taking into account the updated and adjusted clinical advice given by the professional bodies.

The session seeks to give delegates the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of patients with a range of optometric conditions and needs, eliciting the detail and relevance of any significant symptoms they have.

Ahead of the webinar, Mr Kapoor shared advice for ECPs looking to navigate the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19 and said: “We need to listen to patients and ensure that they are at the heart of the decisions made about their care.

“Where possible, modify care and treatment based on your patients’ needs and preferences without compromising their safety and adapt routine practice to cater for patients safely during the pandemic.

“Work collaboratively with colleagues, both within your practice and other optical professions and other healthcare practitioners, in the interests of patients, ensuring that your communication is clear and effective so that you deliver an effective service.”

Rakesh Kapoor has been a partner with Specsavers Opticians for more than 25 years, with five stores across north west London. He has a keen interest in contact lenses and is a visiting lecturer at Aston University, a College of Optometrist assessor and a professional witness for the GOC.

After a locum cornea-glaucoma consultant post at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Ankur Barua moved to the Midlands to take over the corneal service as lead at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire. Working across two sites, UHCW and St Cross Rugby, he carried out complex anterior segment surgery including corneal grafting, keratoconus treatment and high-risk cataract surgery.

He has recently moved to a new role at Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre.

To register, and to find out more, visit www.bcla.org.uk.