Letters : April 28

Independent voice

I think many of your readers would agree with Moneo (April 14) that it is good to see that the review of GOS is under way and provides a chance to bring up to date a service that for many years has been desperately inadequate.

The editorial raises concerns that independent optometrists will not be represented, asserting that FODO will represent the corporate sector, the AOP will continue to support the professional wherever they practise but no one will speak specifically for the independent. I too am concerned about independents. The corporate sector will inevitably exert whatever muscle it has to get its voice heard but the AOP could, at least in theory, find itself between a rock and a hard place by representing the profession as a whole.

As a business and marketing support group that views the independent sector in an holistic way, and one that has discussed at some length the question of its representation, we raised our concerns about the independent sector's voice to the AOP with regard to GOS and were assured that they would be perfectly able to undertake that function. I sincerely hope this is the case, and like many others will be watching with interest as the review unfolds.

Paul Surridge
The Sight Care Group