Simon Jones: Red mist

Reaction from front line ECPs last week regarding the College of Optometrists’ continued Amber Phase guidance really has been the only show in town for the last seven days.

The combustible mixture of anxiety and anger have been the most discernible emotions on forums, social media and our own letters page and condemnation of the College, General Optical Council and a host of other organisations and associations has been pretty much universal.

Somewhat predictably, this animosity towards the sector’s decision makers is manifest by the creation of another Change.org petition (7 Days, page 7). Set up by the Ophthalmic Practitioners Group (OPG), the petition alleges the GOC has failed in its primary remit of protecting the public for several reasons, but essentially through failure to listen to stakeholders in a time of crisis. It also calls for the suspension of routine eye care.