BARS Oct 2009 VRC

Hi All, Even though I very much enjoy going to the BARS conferences every year, it become disappointing when some of the lectures are aimed at Ophthalmologists, Opticians and NOT Retinal Screener Graders. It is after all a British Association for Retinal Screeners is it not.
Like most of my colleagues we were shocked at having to, in the future belong to a registered body. The VCR is as it says Voluntry....but as we were told, in the future it will not be Voluntary. Not only that but the cost of £200 for initial registration and £60 per year afterwards is outrageous.
The lecture lost me after about 5mins. I suggest that when expalining the need for VRC it is done in a much easier to follow manner. I may have got my wires crossed regarding this but come on guys £200 NO WAY !!!!!

I completely agree that most of the members would have been completely broadsided about the existence of the VRC, and that we are being encouraged to 'sign up'. It should have definitely have been introduced and presented by someone from our own 'industry' in fact Ithink Grant Duncan could have done a great job of the whole thing rather than the rather dull presentations of the other two. I also think much more importance with maybe a 'key point' hand out so we could all take away to digest. It certainly is coming to us soon, but I don't feel this was the way to get us all reaching for pens to sign.