Profession in Scotland debates free eye tests

Scotland's optical representative body met last week to discuss the implications of a new Scottish Executive Bill, which pledges 'free eye tests for all by 2007'.
Optometry Scotland (OS) met last week in Glasgow to discuss the implications of the Smoking, Health and Social Care Bill. The meeting of the full committee discussed OS's involvement in the debate on how best to realise the Scottish Executive's pledge for free eye checks for all by 2007 while making the best use of finite resources.
OS chairman Hal Rollason said: 'The health bill is one of the most important pieces of work that OS has been involved in during its short existence and we are committed to making the most of it. This is the first time since 1948 that we've had such an opportunity to bring eye care into the modern world.'
Rollason said OS would be lobbying the health committee and the minister over the next two months with optometry's views about widening access to GOS eye care.
'We are happy to go with a free eye check which allows us to do what we think is necessary according to the patients' symptoms. This is what the health bill is making a provision for. But we haven't yet decided what a GOS examination will be and we need to know who is going to get what when this part of the bill is completed in April.'
The Smoking, Health and Social Care Bill was published in December last year and consultations are expected to be completed by the end of the spring.
Health minister Andy Kerr said: 'The bill contains a number of radical measures designed to improve patients' access to quality care. It brings free eye and dental checks for all, as announced by the deputy first minister at the Legislative Programme debate last year.'
emma.c.white@rbi.co.uk