The industry's professional bodies discuss plans to create an optical confederation

FODO and the AOP stressed the importance of co-operation among the professional bodies at their joint annual general meetings as Optician went to press (Tuesday).

Outgoing FODO chairman Paul Carroll pointed out the necessity of collaboration to preserve the GOS system in England. He also cited the need to work together to maximise resources and increase efficiency as well as raising the profile of optics. To further these aims Carroll revealed that the bodies have been discussing forming an Optical Confederation, which, he said, would speak clearly in partnership with colleagues in science and education.

Don Grocott, president of both the AOP and FODO, defined a confederation as working in a structure where the individual bodies retain their sovereignty and conduct themselves as separate but equal partners. The formation of a confederation was an encouraging direction which could achieve what competitive organisations could not.