Chris Bennett: Optics should celebrate its caring credentials

Much is made of clinical skills, business and operating efficiency in relation to optical professionals and primary care but there is more to healthcare than further qualifications.

Education has been a talking point in the letters pages of Optician of late surrounding the enhancement of optometrists in the context of primary care. The argument seems to run that to be within the NHS you have to be better qualified and that leads to a place at the table for carers.

We are told how optometry can save the NHS money by being more involved in continued care for a range of conditions from diabetes through to AMD. Talk is often of ‘taking up the slack’ rather than care.