Optical sector responds to NHS Next Stage review – Our Vision for Primary and Secondary care

3 July 2008

Responding to today’s (Thursday 3 July) publication from the Department of Health ‘Our vision for primary and secondary care,’ a spokesperson for the Eye Health Alliance said;

“We welcome the focus on promoting healthy lives and helping people to stay healthy. Encouraging everyone to have regular eye tests will make a vital contribution to reduce the high level of avoidable sight loss in the UK, reducing the burden not only on NHS eye care services but rehabilitative social services and secondary health services.”

“With an ageing population the number of people who will have an eye condition or visual impairment is set to increase, placing a greater demand not only on eye care services but rehabilitative social services and secondary health services.”

David Hewlett Chief Executive, Federation of Ophthalmic & Dispensing Opticians said;

“This report is welcome and eye care is well ahead on all these parameters. We applaud the intention to offer a wider range of services in primary care. Wales and Scotland are showing what can be done in eye care and English PCTs should now follow. Such developments are urgently needed. The public health, economic, access and quality case for them is overwhelming.

Bob Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Optometrists said;

“Extending choice is crucial for all patients of all ages. There is already great choice in the eye care sector with all patients being able to choose which optometrist they see, at a location and time that is convenient to them.”

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