Letters: Febuary 16

Going where others fear to tread?

That Specsavers continues to grow (Optician, News, February 9) is self evident. How this benefits the franchisor is equally clear. Many earlier franchisees have created unassailable businesses, but the current saturation policy must make the going harder as new outlets are inserted between existing ones.

This places the incumbent with the dilemma of losing customers to a rival colleague or taking the new franchise himself, accepting twice the overheads without double the income, while management gets double fees. Potential franchisees might seek clarification on this before signing up.

The ability of surveyors to recommend new locations might also be questioned, as a new outlet has recently been opened in a run-down shopping precinct where the average punter wears cheap tops and jogging bottoms, and Poundshops proliferate. At least Specsavers staff look smart in their uniforms as they hand out leaflets to passers-by. None of the big-name retailers can be enticed in – obviously Specsavers goes where others fear to tread.

Advertising creates only temporary business, and while some multiples accept that one third of their customers do not return, Specsavers proudly boast they have never closed an outlet.

I am watching this with interest, as surely the franchisee has got the short straw.

Mike Cooper, Enfield



Providing eye care for the poor in India

India, the world’s largest democracy, houses the maximum number of patients suffering from cataract – the most common cause of curable blindness.

Eye Care India (ECI), a registered charitable trust, has made a small beginning by roping in honorary services of an ophthalmic surgeon and an optometrist for the treatment of cataract and errors of refraction.

The ECI doesn’t receive Government funds at present, and depends on small donations from well-wishers. An amount of US $165 can restore vision in one patient by cataract surgery with IOL implantation, and US $50 is all that is needed to provide spectacles to four patients for the correction of refractive error. Those caring for the eye care of the poor in India may please contact Eye Care India at kumars@vsnl.com

Dr Narendra Kumar

Trustee, Eye Care India, New Delhi



The GOC doesn’t fully recognise DOs

Having just seen the article by Robert Longhurst (Optician, Viewpoint, February 9) and completely agreeing with his views, I thought other dispensing opticians might be interested in the action I have taken.

I have chosen to remove myself from the General Optical Council. After 25 years in optics, I am saddened by this decision, but I feel very strongly that the GOC does not fully recognise the profession of a dispensing optician. Therefore, until we are on an equal footing  with optometrists and our CET is funded, I will not undertake it. Also, as a part-time practitioner, I feel penalised in paying the same fees as a full-time colleague and being required to obtain the same amount of CET points. As most part-time employees are female, is this sexism?

I will be keeping my ABDO membership, as they do have reduced fees for part-time members and I worked hard to gain my qualification and the benefits it brings. What benefits does GOC membership give me? Answers on a postcard please...

Grace Haine, Somerset



Fraud advice doesn’t stand up to scutiny

So NHS Counter Fraud Services are urging opticians to be vigilant over fraudulent claims made for free care including eye examinations by so-called ‘health tourists’ (Optician, News, February 9).

A primary care trust counter fraud specialist has even suggested that opticians and counter staff ensure they scrutinise all documentation thoroughly. 

Am I alone in questioning the futility of these suggestions?

Probity within the NHS and protecting the tax payer’s purse is in all of our interests, but let’s stop playing games. My understanding is that we should still see a patient even if they cannot produce the requisite documentation.

What good does it do ticking the form ‘evidence not seen’, when they have given a completely fictitious name and address?

David M Shannon, Ladbroke Grove