Winterton speaks up for 'vital' role of optics at College event

Those present Ð including head of GOS at the DoH Derek Busby, BCLA president Professor Roger Buckley, and GOC chairman Rosie Varley Ð joined College president Frank Munro and chief executive Bryony Pawinska, in discussions on the future of optometry, including topical areas such as therapeutics.
Winterton, who has been in her post for four months, said she wanted to take full advantage of the assembled expertise. Issues highlighted at the event included prescribing, and preventative care, with patient choice and capacity the 'big issues'. 'It is vital to bring in people like yourselves,' she told the gathering. 'This is a way to improve the health service in this country and we need to integrate these services into primary care. We owe it to the patient to have that dialogue.'
Munro spoke of the need for more money for GOS, which he described as a day-to-day drawback. He highlighted the work currently being undertaken on therapeutics in the profession, with the identification of routes to allow prescribing rights for optometrists, and pointed out the need for unity and collaboration to meet new challenges.
'We can clearly illustrate where we can work together for the common good,' he said. 'With 7,000 optometrists working out of 7,000 practices there is clearly a massive healthcare resource when compared to alternative healthcare resources.'
Munro also highlighted the role of the optometrist in supporting GPs and ophthalmology services.
Optometrist Ann Duignan was recognised for her College work, chairing its CET committee and as a Council member.
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