Optometry, it's a game of two halves, but should it be one?

This year's National Optical Conference wasn't awash with surprises but it did catch me unawares at one point.

Around lunchtime on the second day the conference programme read: The Great Debate- Should the optical professions support the concept of mandatory enhanced services? I wasn't shocked to see the debate, or the topic, on the agenda. I sat, pen in hand, anticipating the weighty arguments to be issued. How would the debate unfold? Would optometry's desire to be seen as primary healthcare providers push the profession to compel everyone to offer enhanced services? Who would oversee training? How would the many NHS , Hospital trusts and local commissioning groups be brought on board?