The importance to optometry of Scotland's Health Bill, which promises free eye tests to all five million Scots by 2007, was discussed at Optometry Scotland's AGM earlier this month.
The majority of the discussion at the meeting ... held in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary ... focused on the Smoking, Health, and Social Care (Scotland) Bill which is currently before the Scottish Parliament.
Speaking afterwards OS chairman Hal Rollason said: 'Optometry Scotland has been heavily involved in lobbying the Parliament over this important Bill, which has as one of its aims the introduction of free eye checks for all in Scotland.
'Our efforts have been concentrated on making sure that Scotland gets a first class eye care service and that health takes precedence over politics in how it's delivered.'
The Health Bill will undergo its Stage 1 debate on April 28, after which ... presuming it passes, which seems likely - it will be returned to the Parliament's Health Committee for amendment. The Bill is expected to be passed by the end of June and come into effect towards the end of the year.
Rollason said that Optometry Scotland had influenced the debate, but 'the Bill has some way to go before it receives Royal Assent and we can't afford to be complacent'.
optician reported in January of Optometry Scotland's initial meetings regarding the Health Bill (News, January 28).