Training and accrediting professionals to provide a low vision service throughout Wales. Barbara Ryan, Tom H Margrain and John M Wild Cardiff School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Wales. Introduction The National Assembly Government in Wales has funded the implementation of an all Wales Low Vision Service. The new service, which started in July 2004, is based in optometry practices and exists alongside established services in secondary care. Thirty one primary eye care practitioners experienced in low vision work were accredited for the first year by the Welsh Assembly Government. Other practitioners wishing to provide the service had to undergo training and be accredited by Cardiff School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University. This poster outlines the success of the training programme in the first year. Method To undertake the training, practitioners had to practice in Wales and be an Optometrist, an Ophthalmic Medical Practitioner or a Dispensing Optician with a diploma in Low Vision. Theoretical Training. initially, theory was delivered in 5 web-based modules and assessed by on-line MCQs (Table 1). practitioners passing the theoretical modules were offered practical training and an opportunity to undertake the assessment to become accredited. Practical Training. practitioners had to attend one and a half practical training days (Figure 1 and 2). the training sessions were held in three locations around Wales so that local agencies could take part. the first practical training day included videos and workshops. the second half day of training day involved low vision assessments on volunteer patients under the tuition of an experienced practitioner. Accreditation In the afternoon of the second training day, an experienced practitioner, using set criteria to determine if the practitioner should be accredited, assessed candidates conducting a low vision assessment. The experienced practitioners came from all over the UK. Results Just over 400 primary eye-care professionals in Wales could have undertaken the low vision training and accreditation. By the end of January 2005, 105 Practitioners (95 optometrists; 9 dispensing opticians; and 1 ophthalmic medical practitioner) were accredited. A summary of those undertaking the training and accreditation provided by the Cardiff School of Optometry and Vision Sciences by the end of January 2005 is summarised in Table 2. Conclusions over half of primary care practitioners in Wales were interested in the training. the combination of distance learning and practical training days contributed to the high uptake and completion rate. pre-accredited, experienced, practitioners have been keen to undertake the training and accreditation programme. 232 practitioners initially registered an interest in participating 128 successfully completed the theoretical MCQ's (92 on internet). 105 practitioners accredited (31 pre-accredited by the Welsh Assembly Government) 85 practitioners successfully completed the practical training and assessment Module Title 1 An overview of low vision 2 The Low Vision Assessment 3 Magnification and Magnifiers 4 Using Sight and Other Senses 5 Inter- professional working Table 2 Welsh Low Vision Service Training and Accreditation by end January 2005 Table 1 The five theory modules Figure 1 Practitioners using simulation spectacles to view various low vision charts. Figure 2 Practitioners explore the demonstration low vision aid kit supplied with the service