Newmedica responds to 10-Year Health Plan

Newmedica has called on ministers to “back quick wins” in its submission to the Government’s consultation on its 10-year plan for NHS England.

In its submission, Newmedica called for optometrists to have a simple mechanism to facilitate referrals into ophthalmology care.

“Optometrists need a simple mechanism to facilitate referrals into ophthalmology care, avoiding the postcode lottery of complex location specific variations on pathways. But patients face a postcode lottery because of commissioners artificially restricting choice of providers and pathways,” emphasised clinical director at Newmedica, Nigel Kirkpatrick.

“Hidden waiting lists for glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration patients are further hampering commissioners’ decision-making. Follow-up appointments for chronic care are increasingly overdue for hundreds of thousands of patients – all at risk of irreversible sight loss as a result. But this crisis remains hidden,” Kirkpatrick added.

The ophthalmologist believes that together the NHS and independent sector providers can deliver “positive changes within months.”

In its submission, Newmedica encouraged public transparency in waiting times by subspeciality condition, the removal of barriers preventing true patient choice, and an equitable approach to commissioning.

Kirkpatrick explained: “We are urging ministers to get behind three ophthalmology priorities to support our collective mission to deliver a fit-for-purpose health service. These are transparency in waiting times, removal of barriers preventing true patient choice and an equitable approach to commissioning.”