Eyecare Glasgow prepares for its comeback

Stuart Wellings and Hiten Gorecha

Eyecare Glasgow will return to its home of the last 21 years – the Glasgow Hilton – on 16 and 17 January 2022 with a host of new features.

Eyecare Glasgow organisers and iCET directors, Stuart Wellings and Hiten Gorecha, who took over the event in 2020, are aiming to make the most of the social event that usually takes place on the evening of the first day.

“We wanted to make the social side fun and memorable so are launching the Eyecare Awards, which anyone attending the conference can enter for free,” said Stuart. “We also wanted to do something really positive and help raise some much needed funds for one of our favourite charities, Vision Care For Homeless People [VCHP].”

Stuart and the Eyecare/iCET team have been working with VCHP for a few years, helping to promote its work through education workshops and peer review and providing free CET education to VCHP volunteers. They have also invited Elaine Styles, founder of VCHP, to deliver peer discussions based on VCHP case records.

“We wanted Elaine and the team to return to Eyecare Glasgow,” continued Stuart, “so we decided it would be a great opportunity to raise some money; it’s been a difficult time for charities with Covid-19 limiting fundraising activities.

“The work they do is amazing and truly life-changing so anything we can do to help will make a positive difference to some of the most vulnerable people in the country. Not only that but from an education perspective, the workshops are really interesting. Understanding the barriers homeless people face in accessing primary health care is really eye-opening, and the range of pathology and associated risk factors highlight how important the work of VCHP really is.”

During the social evening and awards ceremony, there will be interactive fundraising activities with prizes on offer – all in aid of VCHP.

Stuart added: “We’re working with the fundraising team at VCHP to come up with some fun ways to raise money so everyone will enjoy the evening and get involved. We’re also offering free exhibition passes to VCHP volunteers as well as a great discount for ABDO Scotland members.”

To find out more and Eyecare Glasgow visit www.eyecare.education