Visus writes: Respect between professions

‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer’ is often attributed to Sun Tzu or Niccolò Machiavelli, although the first instance is probably Michael Corleone in Godfather 2 (a rare case where the sequel was better than the original). It’s certainly unfair to pitch ophthalmology, optometry and dispensing optics as enemies, we are all ostensibly after the same thing; better patient care. Nevertheless, there is certainly a political angle to how organised medicine deals with allied professions outside its direct control.

At 100% Optical the new president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO) discussed plans to resolve issues with the ophthalmology workforce. This was followed by news that the RCO had received funding to develop the Ophthalmology Common Clinical Competency Framework (OCCCF). The press release clearly stated this would be through the development of an ophthalmology-led multi-disciplinary workforce. Optical representation appears to involve only the College of Optometrists (CoO), leaving the sector wide body (Optical Confederation (OC)) aside and ignoring dispensing opticians entirely.