MPs urged to support dispensing opticians

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians has branded the government's recent review of NHS general ophthalmic services as a 'disappointing and wasted opportunity'.

In a strongly worded letter, ABDO urged all English MPs to show support for the profession in Whitehall.

Referring to health minister Rosie Winterton's announcement on the findings of the GOS review earlier this year, ABDO president Kevin Milsom said that members were 'angry and bitterly disappointed' by the outcome, which had failed to recognise the key role dispensing opticians play in delivering NHS care.

Milsom pointed out that despite a decade of lobbying to ministers and officials, the review had failed to address the issue of CET funding for dispensing opticians and had done nothing to include them in listings at primary care trust level.