AOP responds to Government’s reform plans for elective care

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has welcomed new plans announced by NHS England and the Government to cut waiting lists for patients by shifting care from hospitals to community, but called for primary care to be ‘fully utilised’ as a core part of healthcare reform.

Under the Elective Reform Plan, millions of patients are set to receive faster diagnosis and treatment, working to a target of delivering routine care to nine in 10 patients within 18 weeks.

Within the plan, key objectives include empowering patients with better data and choice, redesigning pathways, and increasing advice and guidance that supports the prevention of ill health.

Responding to the plans, Adam Sampson, AOP Chief Executive said: “We are encouraged by the Government’s clear commitment to tackling the backlog and improving overall access to elective care and treatment.

“One in 11 people in England are on an NHS waiting list for a hospital eye appointment, which is the second largest of all outpatient appointments. We know only too well the impact that the wait can have on patients who risk losing their sight because the delay to diagnosis or treatment is simply too long.

“That’s why we have long called for action that will create efficiency in the NHS and better outcomes for patients through our national Sight won’t wait campaign.

“Optometrists on the High Street have the clinical skills and experience, the premises and the equipment to deliver high-quality eye care, accessed locally. The PA Consulting report we commissioned demonstrates that existing clinical interventions in High Street optometry can release at least 2m appointments for other areas of NHS healthcare, such as GPs and A&E, alongside creating significant cost savings.

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to reform and investment, and hope to see that commitment mirrored in the upcoming 10 Year Plan for Health. It is essential that primary care, including High Street optometry, pharmacy and dentistry as well as general practice, is fully utilised as part of the Government’s wider shifts from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from a sickness to a prevention-based healthcare model.”

Dr Peter Hampson, AOP Clinical and Policy Director said: “We look forward to reviewing the detail underpinning the Government’s plan.

“We support the ongoing shift to care in the right place, but it will be important to understand what “more integrated working between primary and secondary care, community, diagnostics, tertiary centres and the independent sector” will look like – including digital solutions, as well as the time and investment required to ensure change is productive and sustainable.

“We recognise that community diagnostic centres and surgical hubs can add more capacity, but within eye care we urge NHS England to start by using the untapped potential of High Street optometry.

“The stated aim that NHS England will ensure both primary care and secondary care are funded to deliver advice and guidance by splitting the existing elective tariff to deliver better outcomes for patients is another area in which we will be looking for more detail.”

For further details, read the AOP’s Policy briefing: reforming elective care for patients.

Ends

For more information, please contact Serena Box, Head of Media, PR and External Affairs, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 0207 549 2040.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists 

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the voice of the optical profession, representing 80% of practising optometrists. The AOP elevates the work of its members, safeguards their interests, and champions eye health across the UK. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk

The report Key Interventions to Transform Eye Care & Eye Health was published in December 2024. To read in full visit: www.aop.org.uk/Transformingeyecare