Health Minister recognises “real opportunities” of optometry-led eye care at Labour Party Conference

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) brought together leaders from emergency medicine, public health and local government to its Labour Party Conference fringe event, Health outside the hospital, to examine how shifting more care into the community can support Labour’s ambitions for a modern and resilient NHS.

Adam Sampson, Chief Executive of the Association of Optometrists was joined by Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP, Minister for Public Health and Patient Safety, Dr Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Councillor Dr Shabina Qayyum, Leader of Peterborough City Council, and Krupesh Hirani AM, London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow, who chaired the discussion.

The panel offered clinical and political insight into the pressures facing emergency departments and the opportunities for neighbourhood services, including primary care optometry, to provide more accessible care in every postcode.

Speaking at the event, Dame Diana Johnson, Minister for Public Health and Patient Safety, said: “In terms of the 10‑Year Health Plan, we’ve been very clear about the three big strands − the shift from hospital to community, treatment to prevention, and the move from analogue to digital − and they are all really important. But I think today neighbourhood healthcare is what we really want to focus on.”

The Minister expressed strong support for achieving the community shift, utilising the existing primary care workforce and explaining the “real opportunities” to replicate the Pharmacy First model in other parts of healthcare delivered on the High Street.

Dr Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, echoed support for shifting urgent eye care into the community, saying: “Healthcare in the community is absolutely fundamental, and we know that patients prefer to be treated in the community as well. I think those of us who work in emergency departments are all for treating as many patients as possible with urgent care problems in another setting.”

Commenting on the event, Adam Sampson said: “Labour has been clear that the future of the NHS lies in neighbourhood care, but that vision will only be achieved if the Government unlocks the full potential of primary eye care. Optometrists already deliver enhanced eye care services in Scotland and Wales, but in England one in four people still do not have access to services that mean their local optometrist can treat common eye care problems. This has to change.

“We know that over 750,000 people each year in England are going to overstretched A&E departments with eye-related issues. Making sure eye care services are available everywhere would give every community access to timely, specialist clinical care and take pressure off emergency departments and GPs. It is vital to make better use of primary care beyond general practice to end the postcode lottery in England. If Labour wants to deliver effective change in the NHS, community optometry must be part of the solution.”

As part of the Eye care everywhere campaign, the AOP will continue to work with policymakers, clinicians and local leaders to ensure patients receive the right care in the right place, supporting Labour’s shift towards accessible neighbourhood health provision.

Ends

Images from the event can be found here.

For more information, please contact Anjola Sulaiman, Media Communications and PR Manager, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 0207 549 2062.

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