National Eyecare Group says younger professionals are put off by independents' poor image

Clearer career paths, pro-active succession planning and a more positive image need to be developed by the optical bodies for independent practices to bring the next generation of practitioners into the sector,  according to National Eyecare Group chief Phil Mullins.

National Eyecare Group has passed the milestone of 1,000 members and used the opportunity to celebrate the strength of the independent sector and to call on optical organisations to start planning now to secure. Director of Business Development, Mullins said younger optometrists were being put off of the sector by the negativity which has grown up around independents. ‘A lot of younger optometrists don’t know that the independents are strong and can give them the professional freedom many want. We need to get that message over,’ he said.