Donald Cameron HonFBDO has been awarded an OBE for services to Eyecare in Scotland in the New Year Honours. The former associate director for NHS Education Scotland and co-founder of Optometry Scotland played a key role in developing the first state funding for CET activities across Scotland, and ensured that Dispensing Opticians were included in the scheme.
Donald Cameron said, “It is a great honour to receive this award. I have always felt strongly about the importance of education as the route to professional advancement. I believe this approach has helped change the way optometry professionals practise in Scotland to the benefit of both the general public and the NHS.”
Sir Anthony Garrett CBE said, “I am delighted that Donald has been recognised in this way. He has made a huge contribution to the sector, not least in his leadership of NES. As an Honorary Fellow of the Association, we are very proud of his achievements and recognition.”
Alongside Hal Rollason and Frank Munro, Cameron was influential in negotiating a new Scottish General Ophthalmic Services Contract (GOS) in 2006. This allowed optometrists to perform a complete examination to find a sight threatening disease at the earliest opportunity as part of the free NHS eye examinations.
The first Scot to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Optometrists, Donald also has an Honorary Life Fellowship of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and Life Fellowship of the College of Optometrists.