Stop Hertfordshire is a campaign to bring the Optometry job market under control. With recent reports of Hertfordshire University creating an Optometry degree, we believe that the job market for optometrists will become saturated. Currently, there are 9 university which are accredited by the optical regulatory board, The General Optical Council (GOC). The current job market is currently able to just support the number of graduates that these universities are producing, allowing them to complete their training and become fully qualified optometrists. However, we believe that increasing the number of graduates will saturate the market. This will mean that graduate optometrists will not be able to complete their training as of increased competition for these positions. With students spending a large amount of money studying and the tax payer spending a large amount of money to subsidise this education, this wastage of funds is not good for anyone. 

There is also no need for another course. This is because there are already 9 universities that do the course and with Plymouth only starting only a few years ago, it is nonsensical to allow the development of another course before Plymouth has had a chance to expand or starts to produce graduates.

Also a further expansion in Optometry courses will mean competition between universities will increase for students. This will start a race to the bottom with entry requirements falling and the academic calibre of the students falling. Thus, newer optometrists will not be as academically strong as they are now. This, ultimately will not be good for patients. Sight is one of our most important senses.

Why put the future of eyecare in the UK and those who deliver it at risk?