Letter: CET anomalies

By now the GOC should be deeply involved in the assessment of the current phase of CET due to end December 31, 2006 and is hopefully considering how to remove the anomalies in the current system.

I note with some pleasure that they have gone some way to correct the discriminatory situation, regarding those who are unable for whatever reason to participate online.

However, to infer that those obliged to submit claims by other methods, will have to pay an additional fee is still discrimination, under the same laws, and I look forward to hearing that this outrageous suggestion has been abandoned.

I also noted that in late autumn the GOC declared that some 4,000 had still failed to register online and I ask could this possibly be the number who don't have the skills or access to the equipment?

While deliberating these issues, perhaps the GOC can explain why it is that optometrists, who probably did no more than a couple hours on contact lenses during their initial degree course, however many years ago, are required to do far less contact lens CET than contact lens opticians, who have completed a comprehensive and intensive course lasting at least one year, specifically in contact lens fitting, and as they earn their living fitting contact lenses all day and every day are certain to be the most up-to-date.

No disrespect to my optometrist colleagues, most of whom readily admit they have more than enough to worry about with diabetes, glaucoma and cataract screening and so on, and are consequently happy to leave contact lenses to others.

Finally, I am still unable to understand why our representative bodies agreed to participate in CET in the first place, until the funding has been agreed as fair and equal to all.

Should these issues not be resolved for the next phase of CET, I for one will be advocating at our next AGM that our association as a body, together with all its members, seriously consider withdrawing from participating in CET.

I have carefully considered the ramifications of such action and I am coming to the conclusion that as a profession we may well be better off.
Richard S Morris
South Wirral