Features

Centralisation got a bad name for itself in the 1970s. The world suddenly decided that mass delivery of services was bad and choice, delivered from multiplepoints, was good.

While recent history may indicate that where services such as the utilities and transport are concerned there is a lot to be said for central control the fad for individuality lives on.

Nowhere is this more true than the National Health Service which, despite its name, operates very much as a series of financiallydriven fiefdoms rather than a sensible joined up service for keeping the nation healthy.

News this week that the Local Optical Committees Central Support Unit is almost up and running should focus the minds of those in optics who negotiate with the NHS. Never have LOCs been more important to optics.

What the recent General Ophthalmic Services contract has proved is that whatever is said at a national level it is the PCTs' interpretation locally that counts.

National learning is all well and good but when dealing with primary care trusts, that share little in common beyond their initials, thinking and understanding local is a distinct advantage.

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