Minister recognises contribution of DOs

Over the coming weeks ABDO plans to turn up the political heat to speed the issue to a resolution. Despite the announcement that compulsory CET will come into force next year, no decision has been made on funding for participation in CET for DOs. A deal for optometrists was agreed last month and ABDO is seeking similar treatment for DOs.
However, this week, in what has been hailed as the first movement towards a settlement of the argument, a health minister has written to the professional body assuring it that the work of DOs will be featured in the forthcoming review of GOS.
Health Minister John Hutton told ABDO the contribution of DOs was recognised, and pointed to ABDO's involvement in the DoH's Eye Care Services Steering Group which has developed 'model care pathways' as evidence.
'I am conscious that there are issues relating to General Ophthalmic Services that need to be considered,' he said, 'and we are about to begin a review. The review will aim to ensure that arrangements for NHS ophthalmic services facilitate the delivery of a patient-centred service. The position of dispensing opticians will need to be considered as part of this work, and we will continue to work with the Association on these issues.'
ABDO president James Russell welcomed the response and said: 'ABDO will now be putting a lot of effort into ensuring that the review of GOS provides DOs with the recognition they deserve.'
Speaking before Hutton's letter arrived, Sir Tony Garrett, general secretary of ABDO, said there was wide acceptance among optometric bodies and the General Optical Council that DOs were valued members of the profession, and they deserved recognition and funding.
'I suspect at some point the Government will need to address it [CET funding] and the longer they leave it the more angry my members will become and the more likely this is to become a messy public and political row.
'The Government stands guilty of duplicity if it says we will fund one group of registrants but not another. To say they are not part of healthcare is ridiculous Ð we have an outstandingly good case to make.'ABDO has accused the Government of duplicity in its treatment of education funding for dispensing opticians.
Over the coming weeks ABDO plans to turn up the political heat to speed the issue to a resolution. Despite the announcement that compulsory CET will come into force next year, no decision has been made on funding for participation in CET for DOs. A deal for optometrists was agreed last month and ABDO is seeking similar treatment for DOs.
However, this week, in what has been hailed as the first movement towards a settlement of the argument, a health minister has written to the professional body assuring it that the work of DOs will be featured in the forthcoming review of GOS.
Health Minister John Hutton told ABDO the contribution of DOs was recognised, and pointed to ABDO's involvement in the DoH's Eye Care Services Steering Group which has developed 'model care pathways' as evidence.
'I am conscious that there are issues relating to General Ophthalmic Services that need to be considered,' he said, 'and we are about to begin a review. The review will aim to ensure that arrangements for NHS ophthalmic services facilitate the delivery of a patient-centred service. The position of dispensing opticians will need to be considered as part of this work, and we will continue to work with the Association on these issues.'
ABDO president James Russell welcomed the response and said: 'ABDO will now be putting a lot of effort into ensuring that the review of GOS provides DOs with the recognition they deserve.'
Speaking before Hutton's letter arrived, Sir Tony Garrett, general secretary of ABDO, said there was wide acceptance among optometric bodies and the General Optical Council that DOs were valued members of the profession, and they deserved recognition and funding.
'I suspect at some point the Government will need to address it [CET funding] and the longer they leave it the more angry my members will become and the more likely this is to become a messy public and political row.
'The Government stands guilty of duplicity if it says we will fund one group of registrants but not another. To say they are not part of healthcare is ridiculous Ð we have an outstandingly good case to make.'ABDO has accused the Government of duplicity in its treatment of education funding for dispensing opticians.
Over the coming weeks ABDO plans to turn up the political heat to speed the issue to a resolution. Despite the announcement that compulsory CET will come into force next year, no decision has been made on funding for participation in CET for DOs. A deal for optometrists was agreed last month and ABDO is seeking similar treatment for DOs.
However, this week, in what has been hailed as the first movement towards a settlement of the argument, a health minister has written to the professional body assuring it that the work of DOs will be featured in the forthcoming review of GOS.
Health Minister John Hutton told ABDO the contribution of DOs was recognised, and pointed to ABDO's involvement in the DoH's Eye Care Services Steering Group which has developed 'model care pathways' as evidence.
'I am conscious that there are issues relating to General Ophthalmic Services that need to be considered,' he said, 'and we are about to begin a review. The review will aim to ensure that arrangements for NHS ophthalmic services facilitate the delivery of a patient-centred service. The position of dispensing opticians will need to be considered as part of this work, and we will continue to work with the Association on these issues.'
ABDO president James Russell welcomed the response and said: 'ABDO will now be putting a lot of effort into ensuring that the review of GOS provides DOs with the recognition they deserve.'
Speaking before Hutton's letter arrived, Sir Tony Garrett, general secretary of ABDO, said there was wide acceptance among optometric bodies and the General Optical Council that DOs were valued members of the profession, and they deserved recognition and funding.
'I suspect at some point the Government will need to address it [CET funding] and the longer they leave it the more angry my members will become and the more likely this is to become a messy public and political row.
'The Government stands guilty of duplicity if it says we will fund one group of registrants but not another. To say they are not part of healthcare is ridiculous Ð we have an outstandingly good case to make.'