Bill Harvey: Focus on pre-reg's

Last week, the College of Optometrists published an interesting analysis of the pre-registration optometrist cohort of June 2014 to August 2016. It provides a useful snapshot of up and coming optometrists in the UK.

First point of interest was the demographic profile of the group which reflects well that of younger optometrists. Nearly 70% were female and this is now the pattern with many clinical vocations. The range of ethnic profiles is laudable, with the most common ethnicity being Asian Indian (at 32%), with white British next (30%) and then Asian Pakistani in third place (14%). An eye-watering 82% are employed in the multiple sector.