What is the one policy change that would most benefit the optical profession?

With this theme in mind, OT canvassed the views of contributors to our Life in practice section on one burning question: what is the one policy change that would most benefit the optical profession?

Dharmesh Patel, chief executive of Primary Eyecare Services

Featured in: How I got here

Primary Eye Care Services

“The one policy change I would suggest that would benefit the profession more immediately is ensuring the optometry profession, through our current national contracts and our local enhanced services, are considered to have equivalency to other NHS workforce professions when considering service tariffs and fees. This would result in more appropriate uplifts in the fees and tariffs being paid to the profession for services provided, enabling us to ensure ongoing sustainability.

“Of course, the policy change I most want strategically is for optometry to be contracted consistently for enhanced eye care beyond General Ophthalmic Services (GOS), across England.”

Read Dharmesh’s How I got here reflections in The Prevention and policy edition, online now.

Rajiv Pancholi, dispensing optician and co-director of Specsavers Melton Mowbray

Featured in: Day in the life of a business owner

Rajiv Pancholi

“Embedding primary eye care into NHS planning through a national strategy is the single biggest step we can take to modernise our profession, end the postcode lottery, ease hospital pressures, and safeguard patient eye health for the future.”

Read Rajiv’s’s Day in the life of a business owner reflections in The Prevention and policy edition, online now.

Fionnuala Stott, optometrist and chair of Cheshire LOC

Featured in: A conversation about...

Primary Eyecare Services

“England’s policy of means-tested GOS should be reviewed, including via a comparison to Scotland’s universal, free eye tests, with extended optometrist roles and referral refinement. This could provide greater equality and prevention, and a reduction of pressure on GPs and secondary care, while providing better value for public money.”

Read Fionnuala’s A conversation about... reflections in The Prevention and policy edition, online now. 

Simranjit Gill, deputy head of optometry at Moorfields Eye Hospital

Featured in: You had me at hospital

Simranjit Gill

“From the perspective of a hospital-based optometrist, aligning optometrists’ NHS contracts with those of medical staff would represent a significant policy shift.

“Optometrists working in secondary care settings often work in parallel to their medical colleagues, particularly within outpatient clinics. Ensuring that their contracts reflect this, by formally incorporating Supporting Professional Activities time, as well as research and teaching commitments into job plans, would support professional development, improve retention, and enhance the quality of patient care.

“More broadly, across the UK optical profession, standardising the GOS tariff across all four nations would introduce greater consistency and equity. Currently, there are significant disparities between England and the devolved nations. Aligning tariffs would not only recognise the value of primary care optometry but also pave the way for wider implementation of nationally commissioned shared care schemes.

“Schemes such as post-operative cataract care and low vision services — if underpinned by standardised funding models — could be delivered more effectively within the community setting. This would enhance accessibility, alleviate pressure on hospital services, and better meet the needs of an ageing population. Utilising the full scope of optometrists’ clinical expertise in this way is essential to delivering a modern, sustainable eye care service.”

Read Simranjit’s You had me at hospital reflections in The Prevention and policy edition, online now.