With regard to the article in Optician – what an interesting article about the Cardiff survey showing that three quarters of students there hoped to go into independent practice after qualifying. I wonder if the same questions were asked at the other universities, whether a similar result would be found.
Particularly it would be revealing if the newer colleges are producing similar proportions. This would say much about the hopes and aspirations of the current students, and could give a welcome boost to independent practice. There will always be those who prefer the ‘safe’ environment of employment in a multiple, but no doubt the ones who are looking elsewhere are seeing current job prospects and salaries in a new light. I am in my late 60s, but I hope the new entrants to the profession will enjoy their time in practice as much as I have.
John Stewart-Robinson Marlow