New confederation launched as a strong united voice for excellence in UK optics

29 April 2010

A new optical confederation has been launched to bring together the voices of the five representative bodies within the optical profession to speak with a united voice for patients, professionals and the sector.

Launched on 29 April 2010, the OPTICAL CONFEDERATION – The Voice of UK Optics is committed to greater cohesion for the five optical bodies: the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO); The Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers (ACLM); the Association of Optometrists (AOP); the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians (FMO) and the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians (FODO).

In a historic naming ceremony at the InterContinental Hotel in London, John Fried, Deputy Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, unveiled the Confederation's plans for the future.

Mr Fried said: "The five bodies, ABDO, ACLM, AOP, FMO and FODO all stand for excellence in different parts of our optics family. They all want their members to make the best of their talents and provide the very best care for patients - the people who rely on each part of the optics process to ensure they receive eye care, optical correction and many avoid preventable blindness. It is 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."

Notes

Association of British Dispensing Opticians

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) represents over 5,300 qualified dispensing opticians in the UK, (400 overseas), some 2,000 students worldwide and over 400 Associate members. ABDO was formed in 1986 when its two predecessors, The Association of Dispensing Opticians and the Faculty of Dispensing Opticians, were merged following the Health and Social Security Act of 1984.

The Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers

The Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers (ACLM) was established in 1962 to publicise the work of UK manufacturers, to develop new products and to raise standards. Since then the scale and diversity of contact lens manufacturing has grown exponentially, the marketplace has become international, and the commercial pressures have become increasingly diverse. Today the ACLM represents the manufacturers of the overwhelming majority of all prescription contact lenses and lens care products in the UK.

Association of Optometrists

Formed in 1946, the Association of Optometrists (AOP) represents, promotes and protects its members in the provision of eye care and associated services. The AOP campaigns to remove barriers that prevent patients accessing eye care including over-restrictive regulations, the under-funding of the NHS sight test and insufficient primary eye care provision in England and Northern Ireland.

Federation of Manufacturing Opticians

The Federation of Manufacturing Opticians (FMO) represents ophthalmic optical companies involved in all aspects of manufacturing, importing and wholesaling spectacles. The FMO acts as a forum for the industry, receiving the views of its members and disseminating information and working with Government departments, in particular the Medical Devices Agency.

Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians

The Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) represents registered opticians in business. FODO members include the national and international high street and supermarket brands, regional and family companies, mobile domiciliary providers and individual opticians. FODO members aim to achieve eye health for all, delivered through world-class services, provided by regulated community-based professionals operating in a competitive environment.

Full speech by John Fried, Deputy Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers:

"Good afternoon. I am John Fried, the Deputy Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (SMC).
The Worshipful Company could accurately be described as the parent of the five organisations that have brought us here today, and indeed of others including the General Optical Council (GOC).

We were the first optical regulator in the UK and one of the first in the world. In fact, the Master retains powers that the GOC could only aspire to. Who else has the power to destroy sub-standard spectacles as they feel fit, or to flog inadequate apprentices? I had better stop before the GOC get ideas.

The five bodies, ABDO, ACLM, AOP, FMO and FODO, all stand for excellence in different parts of our optics family. They all want their members to make the best of their talents and provide the very best care for patients - the people who rely on each part of the optics process to ensure they receive eye care, optical correction and many avoid preventable blindness.

That won't happen without excellent diagnostic equipment; well made frames; high quality lenses; technically advanced contact lenses; excellent distribution; thorough examinations by optometrists; expert contact lens fitting; and skilful and personal dispensing.

These are the ingredients of a journey of care, quality and excellence, in which we all play an essential and professional part.

That's why joint working between the five representative bodies comes so naturally. Of course it isn't without its tensions and its setbacks, but for patients and for the members the five bodies represent, it is the only way that makes sense. It is 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.

Joint committees have now been in operation for 18 months and, again, there has been a hiccough or two. Some committees are oversubscribed; some have taken time to find their feet, and some have brought new and unfamiliar ways of working. But I don't think anyone would go back to the old days of each body deciding on its view without consultation, acting unilaterally and then fighting it out against all-comers?

So, to mark this change, taking the next step of creating an identity and personality is now necessary. It doesn't change the realities or dynamics of any of the organisations who retain their autonomy and leadership roles. What it does is to provide new opportunities for the profession, for businesses and industry and above all for patients.

So this is one of those rare but truly historic moments for eye health and eye care in the UK and it is with the greatest pleasure that I now launch the new name and the new identity.

Can I ask us all to raise our glasses and drink a toast to OPTICAL CONFEDERATION - The Voice of UK Optics.”

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