In what was billed as a historic move for eye care in the UK, a new optical confederation has been launched. The move brings together the five representative optical bodies to speak with a stronger united voice for patients, practitioners and the sector as a whole.

The Optical Confederation – The Voice of UK Optics, was launched last week and is committed to greater cohesion and more joint working. It brings together the following bodies for improved unity: the Association of Optometrists, Association of British Dispensing Opticians, the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians, the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians and the Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers.

At the InterContinental Hotel launch in London last week, David Pickersgill, ACLM chairman said: “This initiative, although it has been informally active for some time, is long overdue. “The benefits this will bring all members are very large, at a time of massive regulation, and massive change, and a large number of bodies to interface with, this is the way to go. “From our point of view, there has never been a better time to be working together, to have one ‘face’ to meet all the challenges ahead.”

John Fried, deputy master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, (SMC) explained why the Confederation has been launched.

Speaking for the SMC as “patriarch of the optical family”, Mr Fried explained that the Confederation was “the most productive way of ensuring that we protect patients’ interests, grow the sector, improve scope of practice and ensure that we are listened to.”

He said that the five bodies all stand for excellence in different parts of the optics family. They would retain their autonomy and leadership roles but the Confederation would provide new opportunities for the profession, for businesses and industry and above all, for patients.

Arthur: Optometry Today – UK.   http://www.optometry.co.uk/index.php