For me, these final weeks of winter are an interesting time of year when optimism and pessimism collide with more intensity than usual. A sunny day and a glimpse of budding daffodils can make moods lift and spring appear to be within touching distance, only for the rain and cold to reinstate winter for a little longer.
Famously, parts of North America rely on a groundhog to predict the arrival of spring, which at least absolves people of making the choice between optimism and pessimism themselves.
This is the seventh Optician issue of 2024 and one of the key and evolving stories of the year has been the increased prominence given to optics by political parties with the promise of a more fulfilling and fairly remunerated future ahead. Much like the weather and the hoped for arrival of spring, these developments can be interpreted with pessimism or optimism.
In this issue alone, we carry stories on Dame Andrea Leadsom MP, minister for public health, start for life and primary care, meeting with the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee, and the Times Health Inquiry recognising the potential of high street optometry to play a greater role in improving the health of the nation (News, pages 4-6).
To this observer at least, Leadsom’s post-meeting comments perhaps indicate a willingness in the current government to adopt a pro-optics position commensurate with that of the opposition.
Other recent developments, including the continuing championing of primary care eye services by Marsha De Cordova MP and, most notably, shadow health minister Karin Smyth’s announcement that a Labour government will seek a deal with high street optical practices to deliver outpatient appointments, have been greeted with understandable optimism.
A more pessimistic, or perhaps realistic view, is offered by a correspondent to Optician (Letters, page 4) this week. Jim Osbourne states that optical hopes were high back in 1997 only to be dashed post-election, and therefore preaches caution.
Whether you choose to interpret the political developments with optimism or pessimism, there’s little doubt 2024 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for optics.