Pre-reg role for independents

The article 'Multiples invest in pre-reg students to meet demand' (optician, News, July 31) suggested that multiples will have the pick of pre-registration students, leaving independents to recruit from their leftovers. The implication was that the multiples' financial clout would enable them to offer superior training for all the important PQEs. At Peter Bainbridge Optometrists we offer a structured year with planned work programmes, courses, tutorials and excellent close supervision. We have had no problems recruiting good pre-reg optometrists. I am sure other independents offer the same, together with the wider experience of optometry, which is only available in independent community-based practice. Peter Bainbridge Smethwick, West Midlands