Vouchers protest

With reference to Eyecare Vouchers (Letters, July 16, 23), I withdrew from its scheme three months ago in protest at its rate of remuneration. The suggestion that it is giving us extra business and we should be grateful for the scraps it gives us simply will not wash in today's busy practices. We can replace its work, so often non-dispensing, with our own patients who want new spectacles. For a long time I enquired from Eyecare Voucher operators whether its eye examination fee would be raised to respectable levels. I always received the same reply; firstly 'I don't know,' then, upon pressing the matter, 'They are discussing it'. One time it mistook me for a client company and quoted the old rate and the new revised rate of Eyecare Voucher charges without hesitation. There was a healthy difference between the old and new rates. That indicated to me that when it came to increasing its own remuneration, Eyecare Vouchers was not in need of long discussions. So, the margin between its charge for our services and our fees is increasing at our expense. Indeed, Sue Harvey admits it is because its costs are increasing that it has not increased optometrists' remuneration. Well, my costs are increasing too and, as Eyecare Vouchers now cannot afford my services, I shall use my time for my own patients. PJ Gregg Rugby, Warwickshire