AOP's new boss voices concern about fees

Picture credit: AOP/OT

New Association of Optometrists chief executive Henrietta Alderman has expressed concern about the low sight test fee and can understand why some practices have turned their back on providing NHS services.

Two months into her new role, Alderman told Optician how tight budgeting within the NHS meant a great uplift was not expected this year.

‘It’s something that concerns me,’ she said.

Asked about whether practitioners should move away from NHS sight tests, Alderman said: ‘It’s difficult to give a blanket answer on that one because every business has its own dynamics to work within and every business model is going to be different, but for some that [not offering NHS services] would be a natural way to go.’