Bill Harvey: And we moved together...

As was so eloquently pointed out last year in the OPO by Rob Harper and John Lawrenson (https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.12585 ), there is no obvious need for increasing numbers of entry-level qualified optometrists.

Indeed, the springing up of new optometry degree courses throughout the UK may lead to an oversupply – ‘an expansion that may not be in either the interest of the public seeking eyecare, the regulator with responsibility for public protection, optometry professionals or the wider profession.’

A government review came out last week, highlighting the future risk of a shortage in some clinical professions unless there was ‘an expansion of non-European skilled work visas.’ The review from the migration advisory committee (MAC) said psychologists, occupational therapists and vets, were among the professions that should be added to the official shortage occupation list. The MAC claimed that Brexit uncertainty and the resulting reduction in EU migration was one of the two main factors cited by employers, the other being growing demand.