Leaders of the Optical Confederation agreed they had made good progress in their first 18 months, with some significant successes for the sector, at a meeting to review its future direction.
The body, set up in April 2010, met at the Academy of Medical Sciences for the Optical Confederation Leaders group meeting, which considered the results of a fact and opinion survey of internal and external stakeholders by Zenon Consulting.
It found that the Confederation had been successful in its core activities - speaking with a united voice in response to government and EU proposals, campaigning jointly on behalf of members and gaining more influence for the sector. Examples of success were the ongoing 'drivers' vision' campaign and preserving the GOS for the second time in six years.
The Confederation agreed a renewed mandate to continue building the scope of confederated working, and to enhance its capacity to be seen, along with appropriate partners, as the one strong voice for all of the optical sector.
Optical Confederation convenor Don Grocott said: 'This work has re-confirmed that we are making progress in our ability to take forward the interests of the profession and industry. At this conference, the leaders of the Optical Confederation resolved to work even more closely together to further advance the interests of our members, and to enhance our ability to improve eye health and vision correction provision across the UK.'
He added that it had now embarked on a programme of work to ensure its scope and influence grew.