Professional/optometric Assistance in finding suitable location and premises Practice fitting and equipment purchase advice Practice development advice once up and running Assistance given to help to answer these questions: Are you suited to running your own practice? Have you the appropriate character and skills? Is it the right time for you to branch out? Do you need further experience or training before running your own practice? Are you more suited to starting out with an Optometric partner, perhaps with complementary skills? Start from scratch or buy an existing practice?

Is running your own practice a good idea?
In order to assist interested Optometrists decide if they are suitable to run their own practice interviews/discussions would be conducted by Derek Dunstone and other consultants, when appropriate, in the following areas:

Optometric background- have you obtained the necessary clinical skills to gain respect from your patients, peers, local Ophthalmologists and General Medical Practitioners?

Financial Advice- to describe the likely costs of setting-up your own practice and how to ascertain whether personal savings and out-goings make it possible

Marketing- assistance to plan a strategy to suit your likely style of practice

Fees
Initial introductory telephone discussion:
- to outline how IOS may be able to assist
- no charge
Consultation visit:
- 3 hour meeting
- mutually convenient venue but ideally at Hadleigh practice
- strengths and weaknesses discussed
- information given as to what it is really like to own/run a practice!
- "Secrets of success" - useful tips
- fee £495 including VAT, refreshments, handout and written summary of individual advice
- extra expenses applicable if I am required to travel 

Once you are up and running
Further meetings and support with any IOStart advisers as and if required

Possible support option:

• Consideration will be given to IOS buying the freehold of suitable premises if helpful, with the Optometrist having the option to buy the property themselves after 10 years if desired
  
  
• Shop or house style premises
  
  
• Renovated and decorated initially by IOS
  
  
• Let to start-up Optometrist