Professional perspectives in both audiology and optics once again came under the annual spotlight afforded by Specsavers’ Professional Advancement Conference (PAC), this year marking the 30th anniversary of this now flourishing CPD training and information event. 

Among speakers on November 3 at Birmingham’s International Conference Centre was Professor Manohar Bance, whose role in gene therapy advancement caught the nation’s attention early in 2024 when it was announced that a tot with auditory neuropathy had her hearing successfully restored through a 16-minute process at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.

 

 

 

Awards to Specsavers’ top audiology professionals

 

The Specsavers team from Drogheda, Republic of Ireland, led by Connie Scully,  was awarded The Dame Mary Perkins Award for their exceptional customer service.

An extremely proud Connie said: “The team’s goal is to make a difference. We always embrace change, support each other and encourage each other to be better and ultimately ensure the patients receive the best service and aftercare.”

Topping the leader board, the team has weekly calls to ensure service excellence, and no suggestion is missed.

“Caring for our customers is at the heart of what Specsavers is all about and the winners of this award are shining examples of how our colleagues do that every day. Congratulations to all of them,” said Dame Mary Perkins.

From clinician to Hearcare Joint Venture Partner, Natalia Frej has been honoured with the prestigious 2024 Doug Perkins Award for Clinical Excellence. Natalila began her journey with Specsavers in 2018 and has advanced to partnership status in 2024. After completing the Specsavers Pathway Programme in 2023 to further refine her skills, Natalia has been recognised for her efforts, clinic capacity at Specsavers Dundee, where waiting times have been reduced thanks to an expanded Hearcare service.

 

“Specsavers’ mission is to change lives through better sight and hearing, and all of the winners are shining examples of how our optometrists and audiologists do that every day. Congratulations to all of them,” said Doug Perkins, who along with his wife Mary founded the business in 1984.

Natalia has also shown steadfast support for the global charity Deaf Kidz International, set up to help hearing-impaired children in developing countries. In October alone, Natalia sent over 20 sets of hearing aids to Deaf Kidz.

A full programme of presentations, and many industry exhibitors

 

Other moments of the PAC conference  included a debate on the Specsavers-launched campaign It’s Time to Talk About Hearing. Ongoing discussions about a primary care role in audiology for private high street hearing health businesses have sharpened in focus following the victory of the Labour Party in the recent UK elections, and expectations that a new UK Government might turn to high street professionals to help reduce NHS waiting lists for audiology. On November 5, a House of Commons event hosted by Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi will officially launch the aforementioned campaign in England. Similar launches are taking place at other UK parliaments in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

 

A total of 16 CPD sessions catering to all professional groups in audiology were planned for the November 3 PAC conference. Community ENT specialist Rakesh Chopra delivered his popular insights on Conditions of the Ear. James Jackson of Leeds Trinity University was scheduled to speak on engaging effectively with tinnitus patients, while Jenna Littlejohn, of the Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, was programmed to talk on dementia in relation to audiology patients. Among others, Ian Mortimer of Phonak informed on AI and the new Phonak Infinio hearing aid. Fiona Campbell and Patrick Armsby talked on the Importance of Professionalism.

Source: Specsavers