ABDO has reported a groundswell of support for its campaign to lobby the GOC to introduce a requirement for contact lens opticians to gain the same number of points as optometrists from the next CET cycle starting in January 2010.
As reported in Optician, (February 1) ABDO and CIBA Vision are canvassing support from practitioners to bring about a change from the situation which requires CLOs to gain 18 extra CL points as well as 36 general points in a three-year period. Optometrists who fit CLs need 36 points only, with no stipulation about specialist points.
In a joint statement, CIBA and ABDO also pointed out that CLOs, unlike optometrists, receive no CET funding. They urged DOs to register their support to bring about a change on a petition on CIBA's site or by emailing ABDO.
Elaine Grisdale, ABDO's head of professional services, told Optician that it had been inundated with responses supporting the campaign for CET equality. 'This issue has really mobilised the membership and the emails we've received from members are a good indicator about just how strongly they feel about the current situation.
'Many members have taken the time and trouble to outline in detail their own personal situations in their responses. We will be using the responses to strengthen our position at meetings to discuss CET beyond 2010 with the GOC.'