Hoon homes in on optics

Former defence secretary Geoff Hoon has become the latest MP to visit his local opticians to be briefed on the Health Bill and the GOS review planned for this year.

Hoon (pictured second right) was appointed leader of the House of Commons after last year's General Election after a sometimes controversial seven years as defence secretary.

Also at the January briefing, which was held at Specsavers Opticians in Sutton-in-Ashfield, were independent optometrist John Duffy (right), Scrivens optometrist Mark Robinson (left) and the host, optometrist director at Specsavers Nigel Davidson.

At the meeting Hoon was presented with a copy of the profession's policy document, 'Primary eye care in England - a vision of the future.'

Davidson said: 'We had a constructive meeting at which we were able to provide Mr Hoon with a real insight into the excellent level of service which we as a profession provide our patients - and the need to maintain a centralised, but properly funded, eye examinations coupled with an expansion of our services and impaired public health campaigns to alert people to the importance of regular eye checks.'