Calling Planet Zog

I own and run my own independent practice, employing locum optometrists. My concern is that, as a ÔbusinessmanÕ (how dare I say that), my appointment book is going to be inundated with double, even treble, appointments with no financial benefit to my practice. It is even suggested that my practice inject thousands of pounds of cash to fund the extra equipment.
Each week we read letters from these Ôdemi-godsÕ Ð sorry, OOs, bemoaning the insufficient fees received and how it devalues the sight test. But as soon as a bit of prestige might come along that argument goes out of the window. Has it ever been suggested that this is a route to cheap labour?
My other concerns are the fall in actual dispensing from these clinics and the vulnerability of the profession to litigation. How much is the extra liability insurance going to cost? And for what end? The upgrading of my practice or perhaps an ego boost to the practitioners from Planet Zog?
I have enough on my plate, what with the impending VAT tribunal, the risk of increased competition and maybe even foot and mouth, without turning my practice into an extra hospital waiting room.
Any thoughts anybody?
Barry Church
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

Tinting offer
n In response to the letter from Derek Glick (April 6), we do a lot of work with dyslexics and can create virtually any tinted lens from our range of tints. If he would like to send us a sample of the filter we would be delighted to try to reproduce it for him in a pair of spectacles.
Malcolm Gray
Malcolm Gray Optometrists, 56 High Street, Eccleshall, Stafford, ST21 6BZ