Winterton meeting ‘constructive’ say professional bodies

Leaders of optics’ professional associations have described a meeting about proposed reforms in the Health Improvement and Protection Bill with the Department of Health as ‘constructive’, Optician Online can reveal

Tony Garrett of ABDO, Bob Hughes of the AOP and David Hewlett of FODO met health minister Rosie Winterton (pictured) on Thursday (October 27) to discuss proposals in the bill, now before Parliament, and the forthcoming review of the General Ophthalmic Services.

Garrett, Hewlett and Hughes branded the meeting ‘constructive’ and said that the Minister had made clear her commitment to Ophthalmic Services and her desire to expand primary care services without restricting choice, preventing practitioners from entering into the optical market or ending the demand-led nature of GOS for the provision of sight tests.