Multiples win right to join local committees

Professional body FODO has said that the AOP and ABDO have agreed, after a 'long struggle', to allow corporate contractors to join most LOCs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Area Optical Committees in Scotland.
Many in the profession have been opposed to the move, fearing the multiple retailers and supermarkets will try to take over the LOCs, which have traditionally been the realm of independent practitioners.
Executive director Bob Hughes told optician that was not his members' motivation.
'Corporate contractors pay as much as independents towards LOC funds, via the statutory levy, and they want to be part of what's going on. If optometry wants to punch its way into the NHS and political arenas, it needs to be grown-up and recognise that all optometrists are doing the same job, regardless of where they work. We're a small profession and we need the whole profession working together, rather than fighting among ourselves.'
He said that while independent practitioners 'do have some business skills', they did not have access to the expertise big companies could offer.
'This is not about our members wanting to take over. The optical bodies will discuss how the corporate skills can be best used to pool information, to allow LOCs to learn from each other Ð what did or didn't work in negotiating fees for low vision, for example.'
Hughes said there were a few groups which did not welcome involvement, but he warned this would be challenged, as the 'law is quite clear that LOCs represent contractors'.The long-running debate about corporate representation on local optometric committees has been settled.
Professional body FODO has said that the AOP and ABDO have agreed, after a 'long struggle', to allow corporate contractors to join most LOCs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Area Optical Committees in Scotland.
Many in the profession have been opposed to the move, fearing the multiple retailers and supermarkets will try to take over the LOCs, which have traditionally been the realm of independent practitioners.
Executive director Bob Hughes told optician that was not his members' motivation.
'Corporate contractors pay as much as independents towards LOC funds, via the statutory levy, and they want to be part of what's going on. If optometry wants to punch its way into the NHS and political arenas, it needs to be grown-up and recognise that all optometrists are doing the same job, regardless of where they work. We're a small profession and we need the whole profession working together, rather than fighting among ourselves.'
He said that while independent practitioners 'do have some business skills', they did not have access to the expertise big companies could offer.
'This is not about our members wanting to take over. The optical bodies will discuss how the corporate skills can be best used to pool information, to allow LOCs to learn from each other Ð what did or didn't work in negotiating fees for low vision, for example.'
Hughes said there were a few groups which did not welcome involvement, but he warned this would be challenged, as the 'law is quite clear that LOCs represent contractors'.