WCSM course welcomed

Scottish NHS education chiefs have welcomed the Spectacle Makers' optical assistant courses as a step forward in creating careers for practice staff.

Donald Cameron, programme director for optometry at NHS Education for Scotland (NES), said optical assistants were key in the delivery of healthcare and the course would encourage everyone in the profession to think more carefully about these roles.

'It's a change in attitude, it's gearing up for the future. Ultimately, we want to put in place an educational structure that enables optical assistants with few or no academic qualifications to develop themselves, and to go on and study for a professional qualification,' he said.