Association of Optometrists welcomes appointment of Yvette Cooper as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Responding to the appointment of Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Adam Sampson, Chief Executive of the Association of Optometrists (AOP), said:

"On behalf of the Association of Optometrists and our members, I would like to congratulate Yvette Cooper on her appointment as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

"Two years ago the Government set out an ambitious vision for the NHS in England, committing to shift care from hospitals into communities. Optometry is already delivering on this agenda every day, providing accessible, high-quality eye care in communities across the country and helping to deflect pressure away from GPs, A&E and hospital eye departments.

"As the new Secretary of State takes up this vital role for the Government, maintaining momentum on NHS reform will be essential. We encourage her to build on the progress already being made and to work closely with the optometry sector to unlock the potential of the profession for the benefit of the public.

“Commissioning more community-based eye care services in every corner of England, not just a few pockets of the country, will improve access for patients, reduce unnecessary hospital appointments and make better use of NHS resources.

"The challenges facing eye care continue to grow, with rising demand driven by an ageing population and increasing prevalence of long-term conditions affecting vision. Delivering the ambitions of the Government's 10-Year Health Plan requires firm leadership to deliver sustained investment into primary care, including community optometry.

"We look forward to working constructively with the new Secretary of State and the Government to put a plan in place to ensure that everyone, wherever they are in England, can access timely, high-quality eye care close to home, protecting sight and improving health outcomes for the public."

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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