Jack Fowler, preliminary-year student at Cardiff University, told OT  about observing a special assessment clinic and being unafraid to ask questions as an early student

This work experience has not only boosted my confidence and taught me so much before even beginning first year – it has confirmed that this area is the one I want to practice in

Dr Maggie Woodhouse (MW): People who do not 'fit the norm', that is, very young children, people of all ages with learning disabilities, people with physical limitations, people with dementia, people with communication difficulties, all have the same right to eye care as able adults. Once students have qualified, it is taken as read that they have the core skills to provide eye care to members of the general non-disabled population. Without exposure at undergraduate level, how are they going to attempt an eye examination for a person in a vulnerable group? This is not everyone's area of interest, but everyone needs to be aware of the issues and to know either how to carry out an eye examination themselves, or how to arrange for someone with the skills to do so. The Special Assessment Clinic at Cardiff University Eye Clinic runs one day a week through the year. In term-time, undergraduate students are timetabled to attend the clinic. Outside of term, the clinic can accommodate visitors for 25 weeks out of the year. Read more about shadowing the clinic through OT’s ‘Students in…’ series.

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