24 June 2025
The chief executive of the NHS Confederation praised an optometry-led High Street glaucoma service during the organisation’s annual Expo (11–12 June).
Matthew Taylor noted the “fantastic work” in glaucoma care that he had seen taking place during a recent visit to Specsavers Sale.
The glaucoma service in Sale is part of a contract that covers the whole of Manchester.
Speaking about the potential greater scope for High Street optometry, Taylor emphasised that: “They [community optometrists] could be detecting glaucoma earlier, they could be treating it earlier; they could be prescribing the drops.”
He added that 96% of the population are within 10 minutes of a Specsavers practice, but that the majority of glaucoma appointments still occur in hospital outpatient departments, which are less accessible for patients and more expensive for the NHS.
There is a “huge appetite, locally, to do things differently,” Taylor believes, adding that this would be possible if the Government provides a suitable framework.
“Outpatient services should and could be transformed, with most checks and follow-ups done in neighbourhoods or remotely,” Taylor added.
He was speaking during the NHS Confederation Expo, held at Manchester Central Convention Centre.
The 10-Year Health Plan is now expected to be published in July.
Clinical services director at Specsavers, Giles Edmonds, welcomed Taylor's comments.
“Community optometry and audiology are well placed to provide enhanced access to care for patients and support the NHS as the Westminster Government looks to shift healthcare from hospital to High Street,” Edmonds said.
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Nicholas Rumney01 July 2025
Let's hope it isn't just one business. Locally in Hereford we have run enhanced glaucoma case finding reducing FP referrals which developed into untreated and treated OHT and monitoring stable glaucoma's. This has been funded by the CCG (originally) and now ICB. It started in 2009 for goodness sake.
It is entirely administered by the LOC, which has supported the training to Glaucoma certification for all optometrists participating. Our LOC is chaired by a Specsavers optometrist and services are available fully reflecting access and patient choice across multiple practice types. This has strong backing by the Trust and our glaucoma specialist ophthalmologists who have also backed local optometrists in achieving IP status, indeed employing optometrists in glaucoma clinics. The system is seamless, hardly rocket science and could be rolled out nationally. The LOC is the statutory body the NHS should talk to so make sure you have one. It would be regrettable if the NHS went down a single source provider like the DVLA fields contract.
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