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Optometry Scotland have announced their new chair as optometrist Nicola McElvanney, who will replace the outgoing David Bonellie in the role. Nicola McElvanney has described herself as 'delighted' as she begins her new role at the organisation and is looking forward to 'protecting and developing general ophthalmic services' as well as seeking to continue promoting schemes in local areas.
Optometry Scotland is a non profit organisation which helps the whole sector of optometry, optometrists, opticians and optical bodies in regards developing their views and presenting them to the Scottish Parliament and Government Health Directorates amongst others. Their mission statement reads as follows, 'Our aim is 'to develop, maintain and promote a world class eye health and primary eyecare service for the people of Scotland'.' Amongst other achievements, Optometry Scotland can be attributed to a £1 million training grant, the setup of the Scottish Eyecare Group and the negotiating of equipment grants in 2008 of £10,000 per practice. For 2015, one of their main focus points is to ensure that all optometrists are delivering what they describe as 'world class service.'
In conjunction with Nicola McElvanney's appointment as chair of Optometry Scotland, the new vice chair of the organisation will be Michael O'Kane, whose current roles in the world of optometry include being an optometrist and director of the Edinburgh based store of Specsavers. Nicola McElvanney begins her role with a wealth of experience in important previous roles such as the former vice chair of the Greater Glasgow and Clyde clinical forum, previous chair of the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Optometric Committee and is currently occupying the role of Glasgow Community Health Partnership North West Sectors lead optometrist.