AOP emphasises need for enhanced community eye care in Parliament

The need for enhanced community eye care in England was emphasised by the AOP in Parliament last month (28 April).

The drop-in event, held in support of the AOP’s Eye care everywhere campaign, was co-sponsored by Liberal Democrat MPs and health spokespeople, Helen Morgan (pictured above, right) and Helen Maguire.

During the event, which received cross-party support, MPs were able to see the eye care services that are available in their constituencies, including the level of provision delivered by community optometry practices.

The overall aim was to help MPs better understand how primary eye care improves patient access, supports the NHS, takes pressure off GPs and A&E services, and delivers timely care close to home.

MPs were also presented with insight into how optometry services are improving outcomes for their constituents, and what is required to ensure every community in England can benefit from the same level of accessible eye care.

OT’s clinical multimedia editor, Ceri Smith Jaynes (pictured above, left), who is an independent prescribing optometrist in Lancashire, attended the event and told OT: “This was my first parliamentary drop-in, and I felt honoured to be asked to participate.

“It was great to be able to meet with MPs and really drive home the work that optometrists can do in their communities. With the NHS planning to shift care from hospitals to community, it felt like a good time to highlight the AOP’s Eye care everywhere campaign. We gained a lot of support on the day.”

AOP

Shockat Adam MP, an optometrist, joined the AOP in Westminster

MPs also had the opportunity to sign a joint letter to the Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, during the event.

The letter called for a nationally mandated and funded framework for enhanced community eye care, delivered through the existing General Ophthalmic Services contract.

Currently, fragmented commissioning results in patients needing to rely on overstretched GPs, A&E departments, and hospital eye services, the letter emphasised.

AOP

Vikki Slade MP at the AOP’s parliamentary drop-in

Adam Sampson, chief executive of the AOP, said: “Patients deserve accessible and timely eye care, and optometrists and dispensing opticians stand ready to deliver.

“By ensuring enhanced eye care services are available in all communities in England, optometry can relieve pressure on hospitals, support A&Es, and give patients the confidence that care is available close to home, whenever they need it.”

The Eye care everywhere campaign sets out the case for expanding eye care services across England, to ensure patients can access the same level of care wherever they live. View more details of the campaign on the AOP website.

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