“It’s unacceptable that where you live determines your access to health services”

“The work of change begins immediately. Have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain.” That was the message from Sir Keir Starmer in his first speech as Prime Minister after Labour won the UK general election in July 2024

While fine words, our sector is yet to see any significant improvements in England that benefit our patients and those unable to access vital eye and hearing health services. The postcode lottery is lingering in England – and it needs to change to address patient need.

Wales and Scotland are leading the way when it comes to improved access to eye services. Communities are seeing the benefits of reforms to the general ophthalmic services (GOS) contract – bringing services closer to home for patients, delivered by expert neighbourhood eye health professionals.

If Sir Keir wants to deliver fast, he would do well to ask his Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting to look to Wales for a solution to improve access to eye health services in England – where he has responsibility for health.

This collaborative effort was a highlight in 2024, and it must continue into next year on behalf of our patients and our communities

A notable 2024

The good news from 2024 is that Streeting and his team have spoken warmly about the role of our sector, as he looks to shift the NHS into a neighbourhood health service that is focused on prevention. There has been recognition about how we can do more, but so far only positive noises on real change.

Specsavers continues to make the case that ministers should embrace and support neighbourhood optometrists and audiologists to become the ‘GPs of the eyes and ears.’ This is because it will deliver benefits for patients and the communities that we serve.

To support this movement, Specsavers is committed to upskilling its colleagues through continuing professional development (CPD) and funding for higher qualifications. We also remain committed to the development of the wider sector through Specsavers’ professional advancement conferences and other CPD events, which are available to all.

If 2024 was the year of promises from Sir Keir and Streeting, 2025 should be the year that delivery really gets motoring. It’s unacceptable that where you live determines your access to health services

Improved access to community glaucoma services is just one example where our expertise can play a positive role in the prevention agenda. A nationwide NHS commissioned primary care audiology service would be similarly beneficial.

But it has become clear in recent months that additional tax revenue being raised is not focused on supporting changes where the sector can make huge strides for patients. The impact of employers’ national insurance increases on our sector, for example, cannot be overstated.

This mismatch may be brought into sharper focus in 2025, when Streeting is due to unveil his 10-year plan for the NHS in England. This plan will require funding. As a sector, we have to have faith that the funding will be there.

This situation underlines the importance of our sector speaking more in unison about what needs to change and why. This collaborative effort was a highlight in 2024, and it must continue into next year on behalf of our patients and our communities.

If 2024 was the year of promises from Sir Keir and Streeting, 2025 should be the year that delivery really gets motoring. It’s unacceptable that where you live determines your access to health services.

The Government must prioritise equitable access to eye and hearing services, and meet the needs of all communities. Let’s hold them accountable and ensure 2025 is the year of tangible progress.

About the author

Doug Perkins is an optometrist and co-founder of Specsavers Opticians.