MP support

Harrow's MP Tony McNulty (seated, foreground) is the latest member of Parliament to take an interest in the profession.

Following debate on the future of GOS he visited a nearby optical practice to discuss government proposals, which centred on the possibility of limiting GOS.

McNulty said: 'The NHS eye test has to be centrally funded and patient choice has to be preserved.' He visited the Wealdstone premises of Bharat Rughani (left) who is chairman of Brent & Harrow LOC.

Rughani said: 'The LOC passionately believes in providing a quality eye care service to their patients. If the eye test fee was devolved locally, patient choice would be limited and ultimately lead to the same scenario that we have with the dentists.'

Also pictured are optometrist Prakash Rughani and optical coordinator Susan Glass.