Successive governments have made profound changes to the way all aspects of healthcare in the UK are managed and funded. There are new initiatives to bring primary and secondary not only closer to each other but also nearer to the patient. As a group, ophthalmologists, need to be able take an advisory role to make sure that these changes are clinician rather than politician or civil service led. To this end you will see from this news letter that members of the executive have been actively involved in workshops, focus groups, stakeholder meetings and all the multitude of gatherings that are called to thrash out the best way forward to implement the political imperative from central government.  We of course work closely with other interested ophthalmic organisations such as the Royal College and the BMA ophthalmic group committee and more recently the Ophthalmic Lead Clinicians forum. The AOO however is the only specialist ophthalmic association that can act for all ophthalmologists in all aspects of our practice both in the NHS and the private sector. You will see also from this news letter how we have worked on your behalf in the matter of ophthalmic networks that BUPA and PPP are trying to force us into. There are many challenges to our branch of the profession but I believe that the Association has a very strong and enthusiastic team to look after your interests as we go into the future.