Lancaster optician appointed to profession’s national body

A dispensing optician from Lancaster will sit with the General Optical Council, giving his insight into how proposed new guidance and legislation will impact eye care professionals nationally.

Jutinder Basi, director of Welbourne Opticians in Lancaster, has been appointed to the advisory panel of the GOC’s Companies Committee.

The role will involve Jutinder providing professional knowledge and insight into the potential impact of changes within the optical sector.

He said: “It’s an opportunity to share my views. I can use my real-world experience to say whether something will bring benefit to the wider profession or whether it would have a detrimental effect.

“The GOC sets the standards that we must all follow as a profession, so it is important we get that right. I’m looking forward to getting involved and meeting other eye care professionals to share ideas and best practice.’’

“The GOC has values such as ‘we act with integrity’ and ‘we respect other people's ideas’. As someone who has their own business and also holds these values, I feel the position is something that really appeals to me.’’

The new role will see Jutinder devote five days a year to the GOC committee and he is confident the appointment will prove beneficial to patients.

He added: “When you’re in a small practice it can feel quite lonely at times, it will be great meeting new people from across the profession. That cross-pollination of ideas is vital.

“Nobody knows everything, so hearing other professionals’ opinions will help develop me as a professional and gain a wider prescriptive of the optics industry.’’

Jutinder has worked across a variety of optical practices throughout his career. His interest in the profession began during his school years, when he completed work experience at his mother’s opticians.

He subsequently progressed to a full-time role within a multiple, where he qualified as a dispensing optician.

He has served as a director of Welbourne Opticians for the past two years.

He added: “I’m passionate about changing the perception of opticians. We are often seen as somewhere that just sells glasses, but we are much more than that. We are a vital healthcare service that looks after eye health, and I want us to be acknowledged as such.”