Annual Report and Accounts March 2005 Report of Council for the

Annual Report and Accounts
March 2005
...developing...
...responding...
...improving...
...supporting...
Report of Council for the year ended 31 December 2004
Accounts for the College for the year ended 30 September 2004
Contents
President’s Review
2
Chief Executive’s Report
4
Overview of College Council
6
Membership
9
The College’s role in Education
10
Introduction to College Committees
12
Review of activity during 2004
15
Summarised Financial Statements
18
Independent Auditors’ Report
19
Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities
20
Balance Sheet
21
Minutes of the 24th Annual General Meeting
22
Appendices
26
Working for the Profession
Inside back cover
This is the Report of Council for the year ended 31 December 2004 and audited Financial Statements for the year ended
30 September 2004.
The report has been compiled in order to adhere to legal regulations and to communicate the progression of, and changes
to, the College throughout 2004.
Members should be aware that the 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to be held at the Palace Hotel, Manchester at
10:30am on 21 March 2005. The agenda for this meeting and supplementary papers are enclosed separately. The
Minutes of the 24th AGM held in 2004 can be found on pages 22 to 25.
Fellows and Members intending to raise matters from the Minutes of the 24th AGM are asked to give the Chief Executive
advance notice of their intention in writing or via email ([email protected]) by 14 March 2005.
The College of Optometrists
Our Vision
The College has a vision of a society where policy makers and the public understand
the unique role optometrists play in providing the nation’s eye care, and recognise
membership of the College as the guarantee of the best clinical and ethical standards
from practitioners who put the welfare of patients before all other considerations.
Our Mission
In order to achieve our Vision, our Mission is to provide the highest possible level of
professional support for our Members so that they, in turn, can provide the best level of
professional service to the public.
Our Aims
These Aims are, in effect, our Objects as defined in our Royal Charter. However, for
business planning purposes, those Objects have been recast as follows:
Aim 1
To support our Members as they work to conserve and improve human vision;
Aim 2
To identify research priorities in the field of optometry and related subjects, and to
ensure that the necessary research is carried out, published and disseminated to
our Members and other stakeholders;
Aim 3
To improve and promote the science and practice of Optometry;
Aim 4
To ensure that the highest possible standards of professional competence and
conduct are achieved and maintained by our Members.
The College’s Aims also include internal activity, and a fifth Aim covering these is
as follows:
Aim 5
To ensure that the organisational and governance structures of the College facilitate
the achievement of the College’s objects.
1
President’s Review
As predicted by Frank Munro in his report last year, 2004
has been a year of “consolidation, implementation and
increasing opportunity for the College and its Members.”
For the College, consolidation and implementation fall
into a number of categories:
Governance
At the 2004 Annual General Meeting on 25 April,
College Members considered and voted in favour of
three Special Resolutions that will allow the College to
change its governance structure. This move followed the
College’s Management Review in 2002 and extensive
consultation with Members about the proposed changes
to the Constitution in late 2003. Members wanted a
College that was more representative of its membership,
quicker to make decisions and more obviously relevant
to their day-to-day practice. The changes include a
larger, regionally elected Council, with responsibility for
setting the strategic and professional direction of the
College and a smaller Board of Trustees, responsible for
the management of the College and its finances. This
structure will help ensure that College Council is better
able to deliver on behalf of our membership and
increase the opportunity for “new blood” to play an
active role in College life.
2
Operational structure
The current operational structure has been in place for
a year now and the consolidation of activity into three
main directorates, coupled with strong operational
management, is really delivering results. Council and the
College staff team have worked together to adopt new
strategic and business planning, budget management
and HR processes over the last year in order to improve
the service we give to our Members. These are bedding
in well and in the year ahead we will monitor, measure
and improve what we do and not to be afraid to
question the status quo.
The College’s structure is the essential underpinning of
our core purpose of providing the highest possible level
of professional support to our Members, so that they in
turn can provide the best level of professional service to
the public. Since its foundation in 1980 the College has
played a vital role in positioning Optometry in the minds of
practitioners, politicians, Government departments, other
professions and the public. Over these years the College
has done a huge amount of work to ensure that the
profession offers high standards to members of the public
during a visit to their optometrist. The College has set
the agenda for the standards within optometry, putting
optometrists in a position where we are key players in
modern healthcare delivery.
Developing future professionals
The College’s pre-registration period and professional
qualifying examination have both undergone radical
review in the past year. An advisory group of
representatives of all stakeholders, including employers
from different work contexts and representative bodies,
continues to oversee the developments. The College
introduced the pilot of the New Scheme for Registration
of UK trained Optometrists in June and there are
currently 581 trainees working together with their
supervisors and 49 College assessors to “roadtest” the
new arrangements for the pre-registration period. We
have put in place support mechanisms to help
supervisors and assessors with the new approach
and will be reviewing the Scheme as it rolls out in the
light of feedback and experience. This move to a
competence based assessment of trainees, to testing
what they can do, not just what they know, is in line with
trends in postgraduate education and puts our newly
qualified optometrists in a strong position.
New policies and initiatives and increased regulation will
continue to impact on the profession for the foreseeable
future. The recent “NHS Improvement Plan: Putting People
at the heart of Public Services”; the model care pathways
for cataract, glaucoma, low vision and age related macular
degeneration developed by the Eye Care Services Steering
Group; and proposed changes to The Opticians Act will all
bring changes and present opportunities to the profession.
The College is actively involved in these discussions to
agree the detail of implementation of these initiatives, and is
conscious that they should make sense and be of benefit
to practitioners.
Continuing Professional Development
The College’s voluntary Continuing Education and
Training (CET) scheme has championed good practice
since it was first introduced in 1996. In 2005, as CET
becomes mandatory for continued GOC registration,
we will hand over administrative responsibility for the
scheme and shift our emphasis to the provision of CET
and CPD opportunities for our Members by developing
strategic partnerships for their delivery.
The College has developed a robust business planning
process and has identified its priorities for 2004/05. These
recognise the need for the College to concentrate on doing
a few key things very well. In its Silver Jubilee year, 2005,
the College will continue to ensure high standards within
optometry, so that the profession is in a position to provide
eye care for the nation and to expand its role. The College
will provide support for individual Members so that they are
able to respond to new initiatives and manage the impact
of increasing regulation, so that they in turn can provide the
best level of professional service to the public.
The College is a success because so many people put
in their time and energy to make it so. I would therefore
like to thank College staff for their hard work and my
colleagues on College Council for their support, energy
and commitment.
David Cartwright
President
…opportunity for “new blood”
to play an active role…
3
Chief Executive’s Report
This report covers my first full year in the role. The year was
dominated by the development of the New Scheme for
Registration as well as the huge amount of work required
to implement the new constitution approved at the 2004
AGM. But a great deal more was achieved by the College
during that period. Our business plan contained no fewer
than thirty-three different goals, all dropping out of our Aims
as laid out on page 1.
Although this report covers the activities of the past year,
and you can read about our achievements in more detail
in the following pages, we are now working to plans for the
financial year which will end on 30 September 2005. We
have four key goals, as follows:
To roll out the full Scheme for Registration of UK
Trained Optometrists from next summer, with GOC
approval, to include continuous assessment during the
pre- registration period and a final assessment;
To ensure the successful implementation of a
regional structure for the College, with 35 regional
representatives on Council;
To develop a research strategy for the College;
and
To develop strategic partnerships for the provision
of CPD/CET including Higher Qualifications.
4
The College is only too well aware of how much the
environment in which our Members practise is changing,
and how necessary it is for any professional body worth its
salt to think ahead – 3, 5 and even 10 years down the line
– and consider, on the basis of all of the information at our
disposal, where the profession, and the College, would
like to be, and indeed need to be, in the future.
Retail intelligence informs us that the market for optical
goods and eyecare is mature, showing little growth above
the rate of inflation over the period from 1998-2004.
But there is huge potential growth for optometry in the
provision of extended professional services as part of the
Government’s agenda for change for the NHS. This agenda
includes the development of co-managed schemes for
glaucoma, cataract, low vision and age related macular
degeneration (ARMD).
For the College, the provision of extended professional
services is to be welcomed. Optometry is a highly skilled
professional area that has not always received the
recognition it deserves. The refrain is often repeated that
policy makers simply do not understand optometry.
The College’s Vision, of a society where policy makers and
the public understand the unique role of optometrists in
providing the nation’s eye care, and recognise membership
of the College as the guarantee of the best clinical and
ethical standards from ‘practitioners who put the welfare of
patients before all other considerations’, is about patient
centred professionalism. Sir Donald Irvine, former President
of the GMC, and a Senior Associate of the King’s Fund,
when delivering the Gordon Arthur Ransome Oration,
spoke about ‘patient centred professionalism’ as follows:
‘…professionalism is the outward visible expression
of our medical culture. It reveals our values – shows what
we stand for – and how we behave and perform.’
These words epitomise what the College stands for – we
are not a ‘trade association’, concerned only with the
‘business’ of optometry (although we would not attempt
to disaggregate business concerns from professional
concerns given the practice context of the majority of
our Members); we are not a body representative of
employers’ views (although the concerns of employers
and practitioners often converge). The College is the
body that ensures that for optometrists there are clear
guidelines, advice and supporting resources that ensure
that our Members know how to behave and how to
perform, and that the public knows of their values.
The many changes in the environment in which our
Members work are reflected in the strategic thinking of
the College and its Council. As 2004 draws to a close we
observe the slow passage through Parliament of the draft
Section 60 Order of the GOC, which modernises regulatory
approaches to ‘fitness to practise’ within optometry
and dispensing optics. We await the final report of the
Shipman Inquiry, which is likely to recommend regulation
of healthcare professionals far in excess of current practice.
The Department of Health is reviewing the General
Ophthalmic Service (GOS) and the NHS ‘agenda for
change’ drives the development of community schemes for
the co-management of the major eye conditions. In Wales
and Scotland schemes have been introduced to allow
optometrists the clinical freedom to refer or to manage their
patients’ eyecare when presenting with problems such as
red eye, flashes and floaters, sudden loss of vision or onset
of ocular pain.
The College is well placed to not only reflect all of these
drivers in its plans, but also to lead the way in supporting
practitioners who, in many cases, are struggling to meet
the demands of the many changes that are facing them.
I would like to thank our Trustees for their dedication
and commitment to the College and to the profession;
the members of the College’s Lay Advisory Panel who
provide independent support for the profession and a lay
perspective on College activities to ensure that the our
public benefit role is maintained; and of course the team
in Craven Street who have coped admirably with all of the
operational changes they have had to face during the past
year. I believe that we now have a strong College, well
able to lead and support all of its members through the
professional changes that lie ahead.
Bryony Pawinska
Chief Executive
…the guarantee of the best
clinical and ethical standards…
5
Overview of the Council
1
David Cartwright – President
BSc MBA MCOptom
David qualified in 1980 and has wide
experience in optometry having worked
in all spheres of private optometric
practice, hospital and university. He is
currently the Professional Services
Director for Boots Opticians Ltd, based
in Nottingham. David is a College
Examiner and sits on a number of
national groups such as the National
Screening Committee for Diabetic
Retinopathy. He has written a number of
articles for the professional journals, and
is a past member of the AOP Employee
Practitioner Committee.
2
Kevin Lewis – Vice President
BSc FCOptom DipCLP
Kevin is an independent optometrist
practising in Essex and is also a College
nominee on the General Optical Council.
Kevin is a College Examiner and a
visiting contact-lens clinician at the
City University.
3
Robert Chappell OBE – Treasurer
MPhil DSc FCOptom
Bob is an independent optometrist and
practises in the City of London, and the
Herts and Essex borders. He is a Past
President of the College. He represents
the College on a number of external
committees and organisations including
the General Optical Council, and the
World Council of Optometry. Bob is also
President of the European Council of
Optometry and Optics, Deputy Master of
the Worshipful Company of Spectacle
Makers and Chairman of Optometry
Giving Sight (OGS) UK.
4
Iain Anderson BSc FCOptom DipCLP
Iain is an independent optometrist
practising in Houghton le Spring, Tyne &
Wear. He is currently Chairman of the
Eyecare Trust and Optometric Advisor to
Sunderland Primary Care Trust.
6
5
Thomas Armstrong BSc MCOptom
12
Dr Rob Hogan BSc PhD MCOptom
Thomas is an optometrist practising in
Welwyn Garden City.
Rob is the Professional Services
Director for Dollond & Aitchison and
is the Chairman for DOCET. He is also
a Council Member of FODO and is
their representative on the General
Optical Council Therapeutics Working
Group. At a local level he is involved
with the Birmingham Local Optometric
Committee.
6
Michael Banes BSc FCOptom
DipCLP
Michael is an independent community
optometrist and a senior optometrist at
Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. He is
a senior clinician and a director of the
Institute of Optometry.
7
Gordon Batham BSc MCOptom
Gordon is a practising community
optometrist working in Bristol. He is a
College Examiner and has been a
Pre-Registration Supervisor in the past.
8
Jenni Brown BSc MSc FCOptom
Jenni is director of a Specsavers
Practice in Louth, Lincolnshire. She is
a College Examiner, Past President of
the Yorkshire Optical Society, Past
Chairman of Sports Vision Association
and has a special interest in patients
with learning difficulties.
9
Ray Curran BSc MCOptom
Ray is an independent optometrist
practising in Stabane, Northern Ireland.
He is a member of Court, University of
Ulster, and Ophthalmic Advisor to
Western Health & Social Services Board.
10
Professor David Edgar
BSc FCOptom
David has been the Head of the
Department of Optometry and Visual
Sciences at the City University since
1999 and has been a College Examiner
since 1981. David is currently the BUCO
representative on Council.
11
Kamlesh Gohil BSc MCOptom
Kamlesh is an optometrist and a joint
venture partner based in West London.
He has been a College Assessor and
Pre-Registration Supervisor for a number
of years.
13
Professor John Lawrenson
BSc PhD MCOptom
John Lawrenson is Professor of
Clinical Visual Science at the City
University. His research interests lie in
the fields of Retinal Cell Biology and
Ocular Therapeutics. He also acts as an
Adviser to the General Optical Council.
14
Malcolm McPherson BSc MCOptom
Malcolm is an independent optometrist
practising in Aberdeen. He is also
Chairman of Grampian Optometrists
and a member of Grampian Area
Optometric Committee.
15
Dr David Macveigh
BSc PhD FCOptom
David works for Boots Opticians Ltd at
their Newton Abbot practice. He is the
Secretary of the South and West Devon
LOC and acting Optometric Adviser for
South and West Devon. He has been
involved with the development of the
National Patient Safety Agency’s online
incident reporting system, the Skills
for Health Diabetic Competencies and
has been involved with Diabetes UK
with regard to optometric matters.
16
Gwyneth Morgan BSc MCOptom
Gwyneth is an independent optometrist
practising in South Wales. She is Vice
Chairman of Optometry Wales and is a
member of the GOC CET Audit Group.
She is also a member of Cardiff
University Court.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
7
17
Judith Morris MSc FCOptom
21
Dr Bridget Towle CBE
Judith is Associate Director of Contact
Lens Teaching at City University, Head
of Contact Lenses at the Institute of
Optometry, and an Elected Member of
the General Optical Council. She is a
Liveryman of the Worshipful Company
of Spectacle Makers and President for
Europe of the International Association
of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE).
Bridget is currently a management
consultant, who previously worked as a
secondary school teacher in Uganda
(through VSO) and held various
marketing management roles within a
well-known textiles company. She is
heavily involved with Girl Guiding UK,
was Chief Guide (Chairman of Trustees)
1996-2001 and is currently Chair of
Fundraising Committee for that
organisation. She is a Member of Council
of the University of Leicester and Fellow
of the Royal Society of Arts and Trustee
of Loughborough Endowed Schools.
18
Frank Munro BSc MCOptom
Frank is an independent optometrist
and Immediate Past President of the
College. He is a member of the
Department of Health National Eye Care
Services Steering Group and he chaired
the working group that produced the
ARMD Pathway. He is Chairman of
Lanarkshire AOC, Vice Chair of
Optometry Scotland and sits on
numerous other committees. More
recently Frank has been working with the
Scottish Executive Health Department
looking at plans to review eye care
services in Scotland.
19
Nick Parker MA FCA
Nick is a Lay Trustee and a member of
the Lay Advisory Panel. He is an expert
adviser to the Scottish Executive as
Head of the Performance and Innovation
Unit. He also holds a number of nonexecutive directorships of companies in
the private equity, waste management
and agricultural industry sectors.
20
David Parkins BSc FCOptom
David works in independent practice
and a hospital in South East London.
He is Vice-Chairman of Bexley, Bromley
and Greenwich LOC and the optometric
representative on the Professional
Executive Committee of his local Care
Trust. David is a trustee of the College
Benevolent Fund and his other optical
associations are Vision Aid Overseas
and the Worshipful Company of
Spectacle Makers.
8
22
Dr Cindy Tromans
BSc, PhD MCOptom
Cindy is a Consultant Optometrist and
Head of the Department of Optometry
at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. She
is the Honorary Clinical Lecturer to
the Department of Ophthalmology
and Visiting Senior Lecturer to the
Department of Optometry and
Neuroscience at the University of
Manchester. She is also a member
of the AOP Hospital Optometrists
Committee and is a Pre-Registration
Supervisor and College Examiner.
23
John Wallace BSc FCOptom DipCLP
John is a member of the Scottish
Committee on Optometry and Optometry
Scotland. He is also Chairman of the
Argyll and Clyde AOC.
24
Dr Michael Wolffe
JP BSc PhD FCOptom
Michael is the Chairman of the College
Disciplinary Committee and Treasurer
for Vision 20/20 UK. He is a College
representative to the British Standards
Institute and the UK leader to the
International Standards Organisation in
the field of Ophthalmic Optics. Michael
is also Vice Chairman of the Partially
Sighted Society, a Trustee of the Institute
of Optometry, and a Moderator to ABDO.
Membership
Since its foundation in 1980, the College has played
a vital role in positioning optometry in the minds of
practitioners, politicians, Government departments, other
professions and the public. The College exists to provide
the highest level of professional support for our Members
so that they can provide the best level of professional
service to the public.
The College exists for and because of our Members – it is
encouraging to note that during the year, more than 93% of
all newly qualified optometrists joined the College and that
the number of Members increased as a whole.
Type of Membership
2004
2003
Change
Members (Home)
6,664
6,385
+279
491
471
+20
1,851
1,974
-123
Foundation Fellows (Overseas)
94
100
-6
Fellows by Examination
28
29
-1
Fellows/Members over 65
(Home and Overseas)
235
246
-11
Non practising Members
(Home and Overseas)
735
723
+12
Pre-registration
Associate Members
864
734
+130
1,340
980
+360
12,302
11,642
+660
Foundation Fellows (Home)
Student Associate Members
Total
College Membership 2003-2004
Members (Overseas)
The new-style Council will:
Determine the strategic and professional direction of
the College
Monitor the performance of the Board of Trustees and
ensure this direction is followed
Meet three times each year
Consist of a maximum of 40 members; 35 of whom
will be elected by Members in the regions, 4 nominated
from the College’s Lay Advisory Panel and 1 nominated
by BUCO (British Universities Committee on Optometry)
Elect the President, Vice President and Treasurer
Select trustees from among Council Members
The shape of the new Council
Council Members will be elected in a total of twelve
regions. England has been divided into nine regions in
line with the Regional Development Agency boundaries.
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales comprise one
region each. College Members in each region will elect
representatives to Council, based upon the proportional
percentage of the College membership that is registered
in that region. Where there are current Council Members
whose term of office has not expired in 2005, that
Member will automatically be elected as a representative
for the region where they live or work for the remainder
of their term. The table below shows the number of
vacancies therefore available for election in 2005:
Region
Total number
of Seats
Number of
vacancies
Eastern
3
None
East Midlands
3
2 vacancies
London
5
3 vacancies
North East
1
None
North West
4
3 vacancies
South East
4
3 vacancies
Towards a new structure
At the 2004 AGM, Members voted to change the College’s
governance structure, creating a new-style Council, up to
40 members strong and elected on a regional basis,
together with a smaller Board of Trustees.
South West
3
2 vacancies
West Midlands
3
2 vacancies
Yorkshire & Humber
3
3 vacancies
Northern Ireland
2
2 vacancies
This move was a direct response to feedback from
Members who wanted a College that was more
representative of its membership, quicker to make
decisions and more obviously relevant to their day-today practice.
Scotland
3
1 vacancy
Wales
1
1 vacancy
Total
35
College Council
At the heart of College activity and made up of a majority
of practising optometrists, is the Council, which plays a
pivotal role in determining policy and strategy for the
College and in ensuring its responsiveness to the needs
and views of the membership.
22 vacancies
9
The College’s role in Education
New Scheme for Registration of UK trained
optometrists
2004 saw the continued development and then launch of a
pilot for the New Scheme for Registration of UK Trained
Optometrists. During the year, the College revised its
systems and processes to ensure the smooth introduction
of the pilot scheme and particularly to provide assessors,
supervisors and trainees with an appropriate level of
support throughout. Key activities have been:
Early registration of pre-registration trainees in order to
match them with an assessor
Recruitment and training of 50 assessors
Revising the Pre-Registration Handbook to
accommodate, among other things, the new logbook,
which was successfully piloted with the help of Dolland
and Aitchison during 2002/03
Publishing articles on supervision in Optometry in
Practice, with CET Credit Points awarded for successful
completion of the associated multiple choice questions
Providing a web-based discussion board for assessors
to share their experiences
Providing checklists for assessors
Publishing regular newsletters for assessors
and supervisors
Data Protection
Data protection issues were complex but, working with the
New Scheme for Registration Advisory Group, a solution
was identified and all assessors and supervisors notified
during September. Different arrangements were needed for
the Hospital Eye Service (HES) and, working with Dr Cindy
Tromans and the members of the Advisory Group,
guidance was issued in November. The College would like
to thank all those members of the Advisory Group for their
assistance with this central issue.
Core Competencies and assessment
Professor John Lawrenson and a small Working Party,
including Geoff Roberson, Professor Steve Parrish,
Catherine Chisholm and Jim Farrell, created new
assessment frameworks for each quarter based on
GOC core competencies. The College has the opportunity
to feedback to the GOC on the core competencies in the
light of experience during the pilot year. Professor Steve
Parrish (College Examinations Adviser) and a small working
party have developed an outline for the final one-day
assessment for trial in Spring 2005.
The Pilot Pre-Registration period
The pilot began in July 2004 and there are currently 581
trainees and their supervisors participating, with a few
trainees awaiting the appointment of additional assessors in
their regions. The College, working with FODO, the HES
and independent optometrists, has identified Focus Groups
of Assessors, Supervisors and Trainees to provide
feedback on the process, documentation and other
aspects of the pilot to inform its development. An External
Verifier will be recruited as part of the quality assurance
arrangements. The Verifier will sample assessments carried
out during the pilot period and will report on ways in which
the process can be standardised as well as playing a key
role in sharing good assessment practice.
Higher Qualifications
During the Spring administration the College ran Higher
Qualification Diplomas in Orthoptics, Ocular Conditions,
Rehabilitation of Visual Impairment and Glaucoma.
Exams for the Ocular Conditions Diploma Diabetes
Certificate ran at the Sunderland Eye Infirmary with an
increase in the number of candidates compared to the
2003 figure. The College also ran the Low Vision A and
Glaucoma B Certificates for the first time. Although the
initial intake for these certificates was relatively low, the
exams went well and the College is hoping to increase
numbers at the second running of these certificates in
March 2005.
During the Autumn administration the College ran Higher
Qualifications in Therapeutics A & B, Contact Lenses A & B
and Glaucoma A. The number of candidates for the
Contact Lenses and Therapeutics certificates remained
steady; however there was a significant increase in the
number of Glaucoma A candidates with 14 entrants in
total. These exams were held at the Bristol Eye hospital.
The total number of candidates who entered to sit the
Higher Qualification certificates during 2004 was 31; this is
more than in any other year since the Higher Qualifications
were launched in their current format.
The College Business Plan for 2004-2005 includes a review
of the current format of Higher Qualifications
…development of the New
Scheme for Registration…
10
Continuing Education and Training (CET)
The College has again had a busy year, not only continuing
to administer the voluntary CET Scheme – over 1,000
applications for CET approval were processed – but also
preparing to hand over its voluntary scheme to Vantage
Technologies Ltd and the GOC by 31 March 2005. The
handover is part of the introduction of the GOC’s
mandatory CET scheme in 2005. Further details of the
scheme can be found at www.cetoptics.com
The CET department has worked closely with the GOC and
Vantage Technologies, who have been contracted to run
the new scheme on a day-to-day basis under the GOC’s
supervision, to ensure that the self-certification process
runs smoothly and that the delivery of members’ CET data
to the GOC is completed swiftly and accurately.
Once the handover is complete, the College will begin to
address the issue of developing its role in the provision of
CET and CPD for its Members.
Directorate of Optometric Continuing Education
and Training – DOCET
DOCET, the special Committee set up by the Department
of Health to oversee the management of Government funds
with the aim of improving the eye health and eye care of
the population through CET for optometrists, continued to
be administered by the College. Dr Rob Hogan, a College
Trustee, chairs the Committee. DOCET is responsible for
using Government funds to:
Make CET available to every optometrist in the UK in a
‘user friendly’ form
Measure the effectiveness and validity of CET
Encourage innovation and experimentation in the way in
which CET is delivered to the profession, having regard
to the need for cost efficiency and value for money
agreed priorities which would not have been met through
the marketplace, supporting workshops, production of well
regarded, high quality training materials to meet priorities
and provision of training materials in a wide range of
modalities, such as:
Contact Lens Care CD-ROMs
Optometric Quarterly – available on audiotape,
CD or online
DOCET Update newsletter
DOCET website
Paediatric Optometry DVD and booklet
Patient and Practitioner Benchmarking and
Evaluation Study
Updating Occupational Optometry to an on-line format
DOCET has also prepared a strategic plan for the next
three years and is now developing a business plan for its
future activities. It has formed an Executive Committee to
oversee its activities between the twice-yearly meetings of
the full Committee.
The College is committed to supporting DOCET and sees
its administrative role as an important contribution to the
success of this initiative.
Prizes – Professional Qualifying Examination 2004
President’s prize
Yahya Vali, City University
College prize
Matthew Cufflin,
University of Bradford
British Optical Association
Foundation prize
Heather Bell, University
of Manchester
Katy Iles, Cardiff University
Gibson prize
Balbir Singh Sewak,
City University
Unnati Patel, Cardiff
University
Colebrook prize
Unnati Patel, Cardiff
University
The George Wheatcroft prize
Tony Roberts, City University
Yahya Vali, City University
Association of British
Dispensing Opticians’ prize
Michael McKenna,
University of Bradford
The year has not been an easy one for DOCET or course
providers, with a significant delay in the Department of
Health confirming funding for 2004-2005. However, these
difficulties were overcome in July 2004 and the important
function of funding CET activities was able to continue.
Association of
Optometrists’ prize
Ian Cameron, University
of Manchester
DOCET’s achievements this year include the underwriting of
local courses which have provided a significant proportion
of CET to the optometric profession; supporting local
courses which have allowed the delivery of education and
training to meet local needs; targeting courses to meet
Scottish Committee of
The Worshipful Company of Optometrists’ prize
Spectacle Makers’ prize
Michaela Black,
Simran Sangha, Aston
Glasgow Caledonian
University
Federation of Ophthalmic
Federation of Manufacturing and Dispensing
Opticians’ prize
Opticians’ prize
Anne Gibson, University
Sukaina Hansraj,
of Bradford
City University
The David Burt prize
Ian Cameron, University
of Manchester
The Association of Contact
Lens Manufacturers’ prize
Joanne Aplin, City University
11
Introduction to College Committees
The standing committees of Council have a key role in
developing College policy. They are made up of a cross
section of Council Members from all parts of the profession
who are elected to Committees annually and meet on a
regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues facing the
College and the profession.
Academic Committee
Committee Aims and Remit
To be responsible to the Board of Trustees for overseeing
all aspects of the Business Plan relating to the New
Scheme for Registration, Examinations, Higher
Qualifications and Research
The main committees of Council are:
Membership from April 2004 to March 2005
Professor John Lawrenson (Chairman), Gordon Batham,
Jenni Brown, Kamlesh Gohil, Kevin Lewis, Judith Morris,
Dr Michael Wolffe, Roger Hill (Lay Advisory Panel),
Professor David Edgar (BUCO nominee on Council)
Academic Committee
Finance and Policy Committee
Member Services and Communications Committee
Professional Development and Standards Committee
During 2003/04, each Committee reviewed and amended
its terms of reference to ensure these were in line with the
College’s revised governance and organisational structures.
Each also identified the communication loops between the
Committee and internal and external stakeholders to help
ensure appropriate consultation and sharing of information.
Number of meetings this year
Three
Primary responsibilities
Approval of:
12
The curricula and syllabi for examinations and
assessments for the College’s professional
qualifications, including Higher Qualifications
The conduct and timing of examinations and
assessments
The conditions for entry to examinations and
assessments and the award of qualifications
The support and promotion of research
Finance and Policy Committee
(acting during 2004-05 as Shadow Board of Trustees)
Committee Aims and Remit
To be responsible to Council for implementing College
policies, administering financial resources, and acting
directly on behalf of Council in matters requiring decision
between meetings.
Membership April 2004 to March 2005
Kevin Lewis (Chairman), David Cartwright, Frank Munro,
Bob Chappell, Michael Banes, Ray Curran, Professor John
Lawrenson, Gwyneth Morgan, Nick Parker, Bridget Towle,
Dr Michael Wolffe
Number of meetings this year
Eight
Primary responsibilities
Manage and monitor financial operations of the College
Set and monitor operational budgets and management
accounts
Manage investment strategies
Ensure that subscription income is sufficient to meet the
College’s needs
Control expenditure on extraordinary items
Contribute to development of College Business Plan
Consider strategic development plans for the future
Member Services and Communications Committee
Committee Aims and Remit
To be responsible to the Board of Trustees for providing
efficient and effective services to Members and improving
communications both internally and externally.
Membership April 2004 to March 2005
Ray Curran (Chairman), Iain Anderson, Thomas Armstrong,
Bob Chappell, David Parkins, Roger McDonald (Lay
Advisory Panel), Dr Claire Walker (Lay Advisory Panel)
Number of meetings this year
Four (one carried over from previous year)
Primary responsibilities
Providing strategic direction for and monitoring the
development of member resources
Ensuring good communications with the College’s
Members, stakeholders, partners and the public
Ensuring that the College is well placed to inform and
influence decision makers
Ensuring that the College is well placed to advise and
inform its Members
Providing direction for and monitoring the development
of plans for high profile events
Providing strategic direction for and monitoring the
development of new services for Members
Providing support to Members at a regional level
Providing strategic direction for and monitoring the
development of the All Party Parliamentary Group on
Eye Health and Visual Impairment
…improving communications
both internally and externally.
13
Professional Development and Standards
Committee
Committee Aims and Remit
To be responsible to the Board of Trustees for
recommending standards of professional conduct, ethics
and practice. To develop policy for all aspects of
professional development on behalf of the Board.
Membership April 2004 to March 2005
Michael Banes (Chairman), Professor David Edgar (BUCO
nominee to Council), Dr Rob Hogan, Dr David MacVeigh,
Malcolm McPherson, Frank Munro, Dr Cindy Tromans,
John Wallace, Caroline Blatchford (Lay Advisory Panel),
Melvyn Roffe (Lay Advisory Panel)
Number of meetings this year
Three
Primary responsibilities
Advising the Board on changes to the College’s
Guidance for Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics
Commenting on any matters relating to professional
development and standards, including consultation
papers
Advising the Board on business priorities in the area
of professional development and standards
Ensuring appropriate relationships with other optical
bodies and stakeholders
Lay Advisory Panel
Committee Aims and Remit
To be responsible to Council for contributing a lay
perspective on College activities.
Membership
Lay Members: Roger Hill (Chairman), Nick Parker (Lay
Trustee), Bridget Towle (Lay Trustee), Caroline Blatchford,
Roger Macdonald, Melvyn Roffe, Dr Claire Walker
Others: Patricia Leaning (Optometrist Member):
Gwyneth Morgan, Dr David MacVeigh (Council Members)
Number of meetings this year
Three
Primary responsibilities
To communicate to the College and its Council
areas of interest and concern to the public and
individual patients
To foster relations between patients and their
optometrists on the basis of openness, equity, honesty
and individual integrity
To encourage the profession to involve patients in all
aspects of its activities
To contribute to the achievement of the aims of
the College and to review this contribution on a
regular basis
To provide an alternative viewpoint on the activities
of the College
To question and challenge established viewpoints
To provide lay input to development of College policies
and guidelines
To provide specialist and expert advice to Committees
and Council in areas where its members may be
of assistance
To strive towards the achievement of a consistent
and equitable quality of eye care for all, by making
representations to Government and other relevant
bodies
To encourage the involvement of patients in their
own care
To encourage the involvement of patients in the
development of eye care services
The College benefits from the wealth of experience and
expertise provided by its Lay Advisory Panel, which
comprises between six and nine non-optometrist members.
Each lay member of the Panel is invited to sit on at least
one of the main College Committees.
14
Review of activity during 2004
During 2003/04, College activity was based on a Business Plan agreed by Council, which contained a set of Aims
and Goals derived from the Objects of the College as defined in our Royal Charter. Performance against each goal was
monitored monthly and reported on to Council.
Achievements against each aim include:
Aim 1: To support our Members as they work to conserve and improve human vision
Goal: Recruit and retain an increasing number of Members
Produced and distributed Pass Packs for students, to ensure that they are aware of their College membership and
its benefits
Launched a book deal for students in association with Elsevier
Conducted exit surveys of Members who resigned
Joined the Professional Associations Regional Network (PARN)
Reduced the number of Members who resigned from the College during 2003/4
Increased the percentage of Pre-Registration trainees who upgraded to full membership on completion of PQEII
Goal: Produce publications which reflect all Members’ interests
Merged Optometry in Practice and In Focus creating a quarterly CET journal, free to all practising UK Members
Published six editions of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics online
Revised the Members’ Handbook
Revised the Pre-Registration Handbook
Published Framework for the Co-management of Patients with Diabetes
Published Clinical Audit Framework
Produced Benefits Made Easy
All of the above publications can be accessed online – www.college-optometrists.org/membersarea
Goal: Improve communication with Members
Introduced the College E-Newsletter, distributing it monthly from June
Re-launched the Members’ Only area of the website, allowing Members to check and amend their details
Enhanced relationships with the optometric press
Goal: Develop the library as a Member resource
Launched the refurbished library, with almost double its previous shelving capacity, at a Summer Reception
Installed computers for Members’ use within the library
Made the Library catalogue available online
Developed plans to open up the front of the library as a Members’ area in early 2005
Goal: Support Members at a regional level
Segmented the membership by region and developed the database to accommodate this
Publicised the Council elections, encouraging a wider range and number of members to stand
Goal: Develop the museum as a Member resource
Developed the virtual museum www.college-optometrists.org/musEYEum
Developed plans for a CD ROM using the profession’s heritage as a vehicle for exciting young people about a career
in optometry.
15
Aim 2: To identify research priorities in the field of optometry and related subjects, and to ensure
that the necessary research is carried out, published and disseminated to our Members and other
stakeholders
Goal: Identify and promote the professional and public benefits of the Research Fund
Discussed future strategies and considered its role and status
Case studies of research carried out to be included in the programme for Conference 2005
Development of the College’s research function is a key goal for 2004/05
Aim 3: To improve and promote the science and practice of optometry
Goal: Support Members in the provision of primary care
The Importance of Vision in Preventing Falls was published and is available on the College website
The Clinical Audit Framework was published, distributed to LOCs and is available on the College website
The Framework for the Co-management of Patients with Diabetes was launched at the 2004 AGM
The training framework for diabetes is available on the College website
School vision screening recommendations have been accepted for publication by OPO
Goal: Ensure productive and collaborative relationships with other stakeholders
The College was a prime mover in the establishment of Eyecare UK
There have also been other collaborative activities and meetings to ensure that much more effective and cordial
relationships exist with all other optical bodies
Goal: Define the future shape of the optometry and optical profession, and the scope of practice
Draft career structure approved by Professional Development and Standards Committee for further consultation with
Members in early 2005
Goal: Ensure that policy makers and senior civil servants are well-briefed on current issues
We provide the secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment convening a series of
meetings with Parliamentarians, chaired by David Heath MP
Where appropriate, we have distributed College publications to decision makers in Westminster and Whitehall
We have responded to 20 consultations issued by the Department of Health, NICE and MHRA (see Appendix 1)
Goal: Develop a greater role for the Lay Panel
The Panel has reviewed its Terms of Reference and membership
It has hosted a dinner with lay members of other bodies with an interest in eyecare
Members of the panel continue to ensure that there is both a lay and a patient perspective in all College discussions
The Panel secured a first invitation to the annual meeting of the Royal Medical Colleges’ Patient Liaison Groups
A presentation by the panel is now a standing agenda item at Council meetings
Aim 4: To ensure that the highest possible standards of professional competence and conduct are
achieved and maintained by our Members
Goal: Review the Code of Ethics and Guidance for Professional Conduct
We have reviewed the College’s Guidance on Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics and added new areas, including
refractive surgery
Goal: Introduce a New Scheme for Registration
The GOC approved the College’s outline for a New Scheme for Registration in September 2003
In July 2004 we introduced a pilot pre-registration period, supported by 50 College-appointed assessors to carry out
quarterly continuous assessments of competence
16
The PQEII remains for one further year, but a new one-day Final Assessment is being developed
Assessors and Supervisors have received College training, the Pre-Registration Handbook has been completely revised to
include the new logbook
An Advisory Group of all stakeholders was formed in October 2003 and continues to meet regularly
We have established communication channels with all stakeholders
Goal: Define the College’s role within the compulsory CET scheme
We worked closely with the GOC and Vantage Technologies Ltd to ensure a smooth transition from the College’s voluntary
CET Scheme to the GOC mandatory Scheme
Goal: Provide CPD opportunities for our Members and others
There was a very successful CET component to the annual conference and AGM in April 2004. The event attracted a high
number of delegates and exhibitors/sponsors (see Appendix 2)
We have increased the frequency of publication of Optometry in Practice and with it the number of CET points available
Planning is underway for a two day Conference in 2005 offering delegates up to 13.5 CET Credit Points
Goal: Provide professional standards support for our Members
The Optometric Adviser responded to over 450 queries from Members during the year
The College’s aims also include internal activity in support of the achievement of the College’s objects as follows:
Aim 5: To ensure that the organisational and governance structures of the College facilitate the
achievement of the College’s objects.
Goal: Approval by membership of new Bye Laws to reflect recommendations in Strategic Review
The new Charter and Bye Laws were approved at the 2004 AGM
Goal: Implement new governance structure
Established Transition Working Group
Council approved regulations for Transition
Distributed promotional materials to encourage Members to stand as new regional representatives
Council approved new documentation
Goal: Manage investment strategy to ensure maximum growth in reserves
Our investment brokers, HSBC, have carried out a full review of our investment strategy and made some changes to ensure
maximum returns within the College’s risk strategy
Goal: Develop Monoptica website and ancillary products and services
The Monoptica website has been brought back into the College, with Monoptica Ltd remaining a subsidiary which at
present is non-trading
The site continues to be the home of PQETalk – a resource for Pre-Registration trainees and a forum for Assessors has
been launched
Goal: Develop and strengthen links with the Department of Health and other relevant government Departments
This has been achieved through Eyecare UK, with the first meeting at the request of the optical bodies and the Department
of Health taking place in August 2004 to discuss the forthcoming review of the GOS
Goal: Improve quality of management information
Monthly management information is produced by the College Business Support Unit
Goal: Ensure health and safety of staff
Croners carried out a Health & Safety survey in the autumn of 2003, and all issued highlighted have been addressed
17
Summarised Financial Statements for the year ending
30 September 2004
Report of Council Treasurer
The year to 30 September 2004 was satisfactory financially.
Our income increased as a result of extra members and
higher subscription rates. The new Scheme for Registration
also led to a one-off gain because of earlier payment of
fees but the costs associated with this will arise in the new
financial year.
There was a surplus in the year but it is sensible to
consider the two years 2004-5 and 2005-6 together. We
are budgeting for a deficit in 2005-6 because of the new
Scheme for Registration, and substantial planned
maintenance costs at 42 Craven Street. However, this
deficit will be lower than the surplus last year and so we
will be able to maintain the level of our reserves.
Our investment portfolio increased in value during the year,
following the trend in UK and world stock markets.
Report of the Council of the College
These summarised financial statements are not the full
statutory financial statements, which have been prepared,
audited and submitted to the Charity Commissioners by
Sayer Vincent (Chartered Accountants and Registered
Auditors).
Council approved the full statutory financial statements on
25 January 2005. The report of the auditors upon the full
statutory financial statements was unqualified in the context
of the Charities Act 1993.
The summarised financial statements on the following
pages may not contain sufficient information to allow a full
understanding of the financial affairs of the College. For
further information, the full statutory financial statements,
containing the auditors’ report and the full report of the
Council, should be consulted.
The Research Fund also increased in value. This is a
separate restricted fund financed by investment income
and by a proportion of members’ subscriptions. We use
this fund to award a number of research scholarships
each year, in the field of Optometry.
A complete copy of the statutory financial statements may
be obtained on application to the College of Optometrists,
42 Craven Street, London, WC2N 5NG.
Robert Chappell
Treasurer
Bryony Pawinska
Chief Executive
18
Independent Auditors’ Report
We have audited the financial statements of the College
of Optometrists for the year ended 30 September 2004
which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance
sheets, consolidated cashflow statement and related notes.
These financial statements have been prepared under the
historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of
investments, and the accounting policies set out therein.
We read other information contained in the report of
the Council of the College, and consider whether it is
consistent with the audited financial statements. We
consider the implications for our report if we become
aware of any apparent misstatements or material
inconsistencies with the financial statements. Our
responsibilities do not extend to any other information.
This report is made solely to the Council of the College
as a body, in accordance with section 44 of the Charities
Act 1993. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we
might state to the Council of the College those matters we
are required to state to it in an auditors’ report and for no
other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do
not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than
the College and the Council of the College, as the College’s
trustees, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for
the opinions we have formed.
Basis of opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with United
Kingdom Auditing Standards issued by the Auditing
Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test
basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. It also includes an assessment
of the significant estimates and judgements made by the
Council of the College in the preparation of financial
statements, and of whether the accounting policies are
appropriate to the College’s circumstances, consistently
applied and adequately disclosed.
Respective responsibilities of the Council of the
College and auditors
The responsibilities of the Council of the College (who
are also the trustees of the College of Optometrists for
the purposes of charity law) for preparing the report of
the Council of the College and the financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom
Accounting Standards are set out in the statement of
responsibilities of the Council of the College. We have been
appointed as auditors under section 43 of the Charities
Act 1993 and report in accordance with regulations made
under section 44 of that act. Our responsibility is to audit
the financial statements in accordance with relevant
legal and regulatory requirements and United Kingdom
Auditing Standards.
We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial
statements give a true and fair view and are properly
prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 1993. We
also report to you if, in our opinion, the report of the
Council of the College is not consistent with the financial
statements, if the College has not kept proper accounting
records, or if we have not received all the information and
explanations we require for our audit.
We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all
the information and explanations which we considered
necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to
give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are
free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud
or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also
evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of
information in the financial statements.
Opinion
In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair
view of the group and College’s state of affairs as at 30
September 2004 and of the group’s incoming resources,
application of resources and cashflows for the year then
ended and have been properly prepared in accordance
with the Charities Act 1993.
Sayer Vincent
Chartered accountants & registered auditors, London
March 2005
19
Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities
(incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains
and Losses)
For the year ended 30 September 2004
Restricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
The Benevolent
Fund
Research
Fund
Other
restricted
2004
Total
2003
Total
£
£
£
£
£
£
–
–
–
–
146,449
–
–
–
–
87,589
14,000
1,898,875
1,751,704
–
65,750
2,045,324
1,839,293
14,000
65,750
1,904,812
1,354,129
27,500
89,799
Activities for generating funds:
Rental income and service charges
Donations and legacies
Investment income
Bank interest
Miscellaneous income
–
4,856
27,929
12
–
–
–
40,026
1,987
–
–
–
–
–
–
7,651
–
32,827
36,156
2,694
7,651
4,856
100,782
38,155
2,694
37,852
25,924
102,641
21,138
7,278
Total incoming resources
32,797
188,462
101,589
3,795,657
4,118,505
3,571,073
6,979
–
5,665
–
–
–
4,606
–
17,250
–
18,961
13,091
–
–
–
–
–
20,840
6,788
–
–
113,915
–
–
–
–
–
–
87,589
–
14,000
–
–
–
–
849,897
1,372,430
–
138,894
158,938
–
427,338
95,028
849,897
1,460,019
113,915
152,894
158,938
20,840
427,338
101,816
1,007,298
1,160,499
92,019
225,352
246,912
20,037
513,343
153,543
34,607
119,580
101,589
3,047,131
3,302,907
3,451,055
68,882
–
748,526
815,598
120,018
Incoming resources
Activities in furtherance of the College’s objects:
Membership
Examinations and Pre-Registration
Professional Conduct and Standards
Continuing Education and Training
Costs of generating funds:
Investment management fees
Costs of trading subsidiary
Charitable expenditure:
Membership
Examinations and Preregistration
Research Grants and Scholarships
Professional Conduct and Standards
Continuing Education and Training
The Benevolent Fund
Support costs
Management and administration
Total resources expended
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources
before investment asset gains
and losses
(1,810)
Realised gains
Unrealised gains/(losses)
16,732
34,870
14,618
55,038
–
–
11,194
38,318
42,544
128,226
47,986
139,092
Net movement in funds
49,792
138,538
–
798,038
986,368
307,096
Opening Funds
662,674
1,259,788
–
3,171,622
5,094,084
4,786,988
Closing Funds
712,466
1,398,326
–
3,969,660
6,080,452
5,094,084
All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than
those stated above.
20
Balance Sheet
As at 30 September 2004
Group
College
2004
2003
2004
2003
£
£
£
£
2,848,920
2,652,500
2,921,674
2,492,689
2,848,920
1,949,057
2,898,573
1,835,338
5,501,420
5,414,363
4,797,977
4,733,911
45,018
790,000
371,437
137,028
183,221
112,715
45,018
790,000
358,704
189,236
180,000
100,914
1,206,455
432,964
1,193,722
470,150
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
627,423
753,243
623,713
749,095
Net current assets/(liabilities)
579,032
(320,279)
570,009
(278,945)
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
Investments
Current assets
Debtors
Short term deposits
Cash at Bank and in Hand
Net assets
6,080,452
5,094,084
5,367,986
4,454,966
712,466
1,398,326
662,674
1,259,788
–
1,398,326
–
1,259,788
416,370
3,553,290
266,370
2,905,252
416,370
3,553,290
266,370
2,928,808
6,080,452
5,094,084
5,367,986
4,454,966
Funds
Restricted funds:
Benevolent fund
Research fund
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds
General funds
Total funds
Approved by the Council of the College on 25 January 2005 and signed on its behalf by R W Chappell.
21
Minutes of the 24th Annual General Meeting
The President, Frank Munro, was in the Chair. All members of the College Council were present, with the exception
of Richard Allen, Tom Armstrong, Gwyneth Morgan, Melvyn Roffe, David Edgar, David Parkins and Nick Parker.
102 Members and Fellows were present.
Bryony Pawinska, Chief Executive, and Sheila Kleyn, Director of Finance and HR, were in attendance.
Opening remarks
The President welcomed all present to the 24th Annual General Meeting and introduced the Officers and members of
staff present at the meeting. He noted that due to the requirement to allow as much time as possible for discussion of the
proposed changes to the College Charter and Bye Laws, he would not give a Presidential Address this year. He invited
Members and Fellows to read the Annual Report to gain an understanding of the College’s activities over the past year.
Deceased Fellows and Members
The meeting had before it a list of all Fellows and Members whose deaths had been notified to the College since
25 March 2003. The Fellows and Members present at the meeting stood in silence for one minute to remember their
late colleagues.
Minutes of Previous Annual General Meeting
The minutes of the 23rd Annual General Meeting held on 24 March 2003, which had been circulated with the
Annual Report, were proposed for approval by John Wallace, seconded by Iain Anderson, and carried unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer advised the meeting that the accounts for the year ended September 2003 could be found in the Annual
Report. He reported that the consolidated Accounts included the College and Association of Optometrists Benevolent
Fund and the College Research Fund. These were separate charities but as the College had a major interest in these
funds they were included with the College general accounts. The third restricted fund shown comprised College income
that had been given for specific purposes, including the DoH grant for the pre-registration year and monies from the
Central LOC fund for professional standards work.
The Treasurer reported that although the past year had been challenging in many respects, including financially, the
College’s income and expenditure was in balance due to a great deal of prudent financial management.
Financial challenges were identified in two areas. The first of these was the upgrade to the IT system which had
been planned for some time. Significant investment had been required to support the old system and to ensure that
its replacement was sufficient and appropriate for the College’s needs. The IT system was now fully functional and
exceeding expectations.
The second challenge was an unexpected cost relating to the extended management review and the resulting staff
changes. The Treasurer reported that the early retirement of the College Secretary Peter Leigh, other retirements and one
redundancy had led to unforeseen costs, but the Treasurer was pleased to report that these items had all been managed
within normal operating income and expenditure. Finally under this item the Treasurer informed the meeting that as the
agreement with the outgoing Secretary contained a confidentiality clause, the exact figures involved could not be disclosed
or discussed. However, the settlement had been agreed by the Charity Commission.
The Treasurer then reported that following a number of years of losses on the stock market, the value of the College’s
investments had slowly begun to increase. Careful monitoring of the investment portfolio combined with excellent
investment advice ensured the best balance between income and growth.
In addition, the Treasurer was pleased to report that it had not proved necessary to draw down on the overdraft facility
that had been agreed in 2003. This had resulted from tightened financial controls and revision to the budgeting process.
Looking towards the future this stable financial position, combined with an increase in subscription fees in line with
inflation, meant that the College had the necessary resources to move ahead with planned developments.
22
Turning to specific items, the Treasurer reported that on the advice of the College’s auditors, the Monoptica website had
proved to be very well aligned with the charitable objects of the College, and as such had been taken back into the
College where it would become an integral part of the support offered to Members.
The Treasurer reported that the Research Fund continued to provide a valuable resource for PhD bursaries and support for
other research projects. He noted that the same comments applied to the Fund’s share portfolio as to the College’s main
investments. A review of the College’s research strategy was under way to ensure that the Fund was being used to best
effect.
The Treasurer thanked the Central LOC fund for their continued support for special projects. He went on to thank the
financial team at the College, led by Sheila Kleyn.
There were no questions for the Treasurer so Malcolm McPherson proposed that the Annual Report for the year 1 January
2003 to 31 December 2003 and the summarised Financial Statements for the year to 30 September 2003 be approved.
This was seconded by David Alexander and carried unanimously.
Retirement of Council Members
The President announced the retirement by rotation of five members of Council; Iain Anderson, Richard Broughton, Robert
Chappell, John Wallace and Michael Wolffe. Of these, Richard Broughton did not stand for re-election. The President also
announced the decision by David Alexander to resign from Council, and the decision of Melvyn Roffe not to continue as a
member of Council since his Chairmanship of the Lay Advisory Panel had come to an end. The President extended his
thanks to Council members for their contributions to the work of the College.
Results of Election
The Chief Executive announced that there had been seven vacancies in England and one in Scotland. As the number of
candidates had matched the number of vacancies, no ballot had been required. The following members were re-elected in
England:
Iain Anderson, Robert Chappell, Michael Wolffe
John Wallace was re-elected in Scotland.
In addition, four new members were elected to Council:
Gordon Batham, Kamlesh Gohil, David Parkins, Cindy Tromans
Ordinary Resolution: Confirmation of Auditors
The Ordinary Resolution to appoint Messrs Sayer Vincent as auditors to the College was proposed by Ray Curran,
seconded by Nigel Burnett Hodd and carried unanimously.
Ordinary Resolution: Subscription Levels
The Ordinary Resolution to increase the level of the subscription was proposed by Richard Broughton, seconded by Ray
Curran and carried with four abstentions. From 1 October 2004 the new rates were increased to:
£253
Members (overseas) who have reached their 65th
birthday (on request)
£74
Fellows (home) who have reached their 65th birthday
(on request)
£137
Newly Qualified Members in the first two complete
years of membership (home)
£149
Fellows resident elsewhere (Overseas)
£137
Newly Qualified Members in the first two complete
years of membership (overseas)
£78
Fellows resident in the UK, Isle of Man and
Channel Islands (home)
Fellows (overseas) who have reached their 65th birthday
(on request)
£75
Associate Members (home)
£131
Members resident in the UK, Isle of Man and Channel
Islands (home)
£243
Associate Members (overseas)
£74
Non-practising Fellows and Members
£29
Members (home) who have reached their 65th birthday
(on request)
£131
Non-practising Fellows and Members who have
reached their 75th birthday (on request)
Nil
Members resident elsewhere (Overseas)
Life and honorary fellows
Nil
£131
23
Fellows and Members of the College should note that the figures quoted are exclusive of VAT, which will be applied to a
small percentage of the subscription charge to cover those services that we provide to members on the web, for example,
our learned journal Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO). This is a requirement of the VAT Act and will apply to all
Fellows and Members across all categories of membership at home or overseas.
Special Resolution: Adoption of New Bye Laws
The Vice President, David Cartwright, spoke in support of the proposal to adopt the new Bye Laws. The meeting had
received the details of the changes in the Notice of the AGM. The Vice President reported on the background to the
proposed changes, and noted that all Members and Fellows had been consulted. The 237 responses received had been
overwhelmingly supportive. He also reported that the Privy Council had indicated its contentment with the proposed
changes. Finally, the Vice President commended the new Bye Laws to the membership and proposed their adoption. The
proposal was seconded by Ray Curran and carried, with 3 votes against and 5 abstentions.
Special Resolution: Adoption of new Charter
The meeting had before it the details of the proposed minor amendments to the College Charter to align the Charter with
the new Bye Laws and in particular the creation of a new Board of Trustees as well as the Council. Adoption of the new
Charter was proposed by David Alexander, seconded by Nigel Burnett Hodd, and carried with five abstentions.
Special Resolution: Authorisation of Council to assent to modifications to the Bye Laws
The Chief Executive explained that it was necessary to authorise Council to approve minor modifications to the new Bye
Laws because the Charter and Bye Laws still required formal approval by the Privy Council. Should minor revisions be
required either by the Privy Council, or by the College’s legal advisers for technical reasons, members were asked to allow
Council to assent to these revisions. The resolution was proposed by David MacVeigh, seconded by John Wallace and
carried, with six abstentions and one vote against.
Any Other Business
No further business had been notified to the President in advance, so he invited questions from the floor.
Monoptica
Nigel Burnett Hodd commented that the website ‘Monoptica’ was excellent, and asked how the Council envisaged
development of the site over the next few years. The Chief Executive responded that the site would be used to support
the new Scheme for Registration, and would in due course carry all supporting documentation and any e-learning
materials developed. It was noted that the charitable nature of the site precluded extensive commercial development, but
that Monoptica would be developed in conjunction with the College main website.
CET
Whilst appreciating the need for continuing clinical improvement and excellence, Brian Hitchin questioned the need for the
required amount of CET per year, suggesting that the amount needed was difficult and expensive to attain. The President
responded that as of 2005 the GOC compulsory CET scheme would set the required levels, and that the College’s new
role in this area would be to support Members in achievement of the required levels. The Vice President added that the
funds available from Department of Health to support practising optometrists in CET would be increased to £455 per year.
Pre-Registration Trainees
Tom Kilmer raised a concern as to whether it was in the interests of pre-registration trainees to be able to negotiate their
own salaries, and asked how the College saw the position of independent optometrists in dealing with this new demand.
The Vice President replied that the Department of Health had removed the cap on pre-registration salaries in order to
reflect an increasingly competitive environment. There was no reason for this removal to either increase or decrease preregistration salaries, nor should it mean a reduction in standards.
24
Eye Examination
Nigel Burnett Hodd referred to a recent trend by some optometric companies to offer eye examinations for £10, and
asked that the Council try to improve understanding of the value of the examination. The President replied that the Council
always insisted upon the highest standards of care, but that it was not able to comment on commercial decisions.
Royal Charter
Peter Warman asked the Council what benefits would accrue from having a Royal Charter. The Chief Executive responded
that the College was already in possession of a Royal Charter, but did not currently have the right to a Royal Affix. The
President added that having the Royal Charter allowed the College to be given equal status as other Royal Colleges in the
eyes of the DoH, Government and other agencies, to the overall benefit of the profession. The question of whether the
membership wished the College to seek the right to use the term ‘Royal College’ was raised, and the matter was put to
an informal vote. This showed that the meeting was in favour of pursuing the matter further.
Close of Meeting
There being no further questions from the floor, the President thanked all Fellows and Members for attending, and also
extended his thanks to the College’s Chief Executive, Directors and staff for their support.
25
Appendix 1
Consultation Responses
Date
Name of consultation
January
Consultation on Council for the Regulation of Healthcare Professionals’ Powers under Section 29 of the NHS
Reform and Health Care Professionals Act
Reforming the NHS complaints procedure – consultation on CHAI’s proposals for the independent stage
Reforming the NHS complaints procedure
March
MHRA Review of the advisory bodies structure as laid down in the Medicines Act 1968
Choosing better health (Department of Health)
Standards for better health ( Department of Health)
April
Statistics Commission: review of the use of health statistics
NICE: Falls Guideline
MHRA MLX 303 Nurse prescribers extended formulary: proposals to expand the range of POMs
May
GOC’s compulsory CET scheme guidelines
MHRA MLX 308: Independent access to the yellow card scheme
Reform of the GOC
MHRA MLX 305 Proposals for supplementary prescribing by chiropodists, physiotherapists, radiographers and
optometrists and proposed amendments to the POM (Human Use) Order 1997
June
MHRA MLX 306: Proposals for amendments to the range of medicines which can be sold, supplied or
administered by optometrists
July
Submission by the College of Optometrists to the joint committee on the draft Charities Bill
August
National Institute for Clinical Excellence – use of LASIK in refractive errors
MHRA MLX306 as above
GOC Section 60 Consultation
Hazardous Waste Review
November
26
Practice based commissioning: engaging practices in commissioning
Appendix 2
Sponsors and Exhibitors 2004
The College would like to thank:
Bausch & Lomb Ltd
David Thomas Contact Lenses Ltd
Elsevier UK Ltd
Flame Health Ltd
Grafton Optical Company Ltd
Haag Streit UK
International Glaucoma Association
Jack Allen Contact Lenses
Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Ltd
Keeler Ltd
Mainline Optical Ltd
MGF Optical Ltd
Optician Journal
Optima Low Vision Services Ltd
Optometry Today
Optos Plc
TOPCON UK Ltd
Toppin Consultants
Total Marketing Resource Ltd
Visionary Imaging Systems Ltd
WECO UK Ltd
College Annual Conference, Optometry Tomorrow 2004
27
Annual College Conference, Optometry Tomorrow 2004
Rosie Winterton, Minister of State for Health,
attends Council Dinner, 28 October 2003
Council Meeting, 20 October 2004
Reopening of the newly refurbished College Library, 5 June 2004
28
College of Optometrists HQ
Working for the profession
During 2004 the College staff, trustees and committees continued to work in partnership to deliver the College’s aims.
This section explains the staffing structure of the College and gives contact details for future reference.
Chief Executive’s Department
Supports: Council, Finance and Policy Committee, Lay Panel and Disciplinary Committee
Chief Executive
020 7766 4341 Bryony Pawinska
[email protected]
Business Support Manager
020 7766 4351 Liz Scarboro
[email protected]
PA to CEO, Directors
and President
020 7766 4341 TBA
HR Manager
020 7766 4382 Michelle Prescott
[email protected]
Finance and Administration Department
Finance Director
020 7766 4390 David McKinley
[email protected]
[email protected]
Finance Manager
020 7766 4395 Duncan Lynch
Finance Co-ordinator
020 7766 4394 Dominic Adefope-Phillips [email protected]
Office Services Co-ordinator
020 7766 4393 David Blower
[email protected]
Member Services and Communications Department
Supports: Member Services & Communications Committee
Director of Member
Services and Communication
020 7766 4350 Beth Elgood
[email protected]
Marketing Manager
020 7766 4343 Rich Gott
[email protected]
IT Manager
020 7766 4399 James Samarasinghe
[email protected]
Marketing Communications
Co-ordinator
020 7766 4342 Ellen Barber
[email protected]
Membership Co-ordinator
020 7766 4392 Millie Thomas
[email protected]
Librarian
020 7766 4352 Jan Ayres
[email protected]
Museum Curator
020 7766 4353 Neil Handley
[email protected]
Receptionist/Telephonist
020 7839 6000 Mo Belcher
[email protected]
Professional Development and Standards Department
Supports: Academic Committee, Professional Development and Standards Committee, and Research Committee
Director of Professional
Development and Standards
020 7766 4370 Anne Bishop
[email protected]
Examinations and
Qualifications Manager
020 7766 4363 Gregory Pain
[email protected]
Pre-Registration Co-Ordinator
020 7766 4365 Lee Rolls
[email protected]
Examinations Co-ordinator
020 7766 4362 Paul Mills
[email protected]
Examinations Assistant
020 7766 4361 Jennifer James
[email protected]
CET & DOCET Project Manager 020 7766 4380 Alena Crook
[email protected]
Development and Standards
Administrators
020 7766 4371 Sharon Bromley
[email protected]
020 7766 4364 Theresa Murtagh
[email protected]
The department works with three advisers:
DOCET Training Adviser
Geoff Roberson
[email protected]
Examinations Adviser
Professor Steve Parrish
[email protected]
Optometric Adviser
Dr Sue Blakeney
[email protected]
42 Craven Street
London WC2N 5NG
Tel: 020 7839 6000
Fax: 020 7839 6800
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.college-optometrists.org