Optometry in Scotland is widely accepted as having developed more quickly than its counterpart in England but opinions are divided over whether an independent Scotland would be good for optometry or not.
In the June 13 edition of Optician two Scottish optometrists argue for and against independence North of the Border. Ian Cameron will make the point that Scotland stands to gain precisely nothing from independence while Graeme Stevenson will counter that optometrists have to vote yes to preserve the gains that have been made.
' The Westminster government have already mentioned that they are planning a further £4bn of austerity cuts in Scotland alone. One would have to ask the question if any future Scottish government could continue to provide the current health benefits in such a case. As such to ensure continued employment of our optometrists, DOs, and optical assistants we must vote yes to ensure the current GOS contract stays in place in Scotland,' writes Stevenson.
Cameron said great advances had been made in the Scottish NHS which is effectively independent already. 'We don't need any more independence in healthcare nor do we stand to gain professionally from achieving it. On the contrary there is a risk that a positive independence vote would require careful re-examination of budgetary concerns and potentially risk the provision of eye care in Scotland.'