§ 69. Mr. Marloweasked the Minister of Health whether he proposes to employ ophthalmic opticians who are not ophthalmic medical practitioners in the National Health Service; whether he is aware of the concern among ophthalmic opticians that they are in danger of losing their livelihood; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BevanI assume the hon. Member has in mind the hospital eye service. Forty-eight ophthalmic opticians are already employed whole or part-time, and others will be engaged as the service develops.
§ Mr. MarloweIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that ophthalmic opticians are apprehensive that they will be squeezed out of existence in view of the fact that only ophthalmic medical practitioners are to be employed in the Health Service?
§ Mr. BevanThe ophthalmic opticians are aware of the situation. They know that what is in existence is a supplementary optical service. We hope that eventually the whole optical service of the country will be articulated through the 1350 hospitals where, in the first place, patients can be examined by ophthalmic surgeons.