First national clinical director for eye care begins role

NHS England has appointed its first ever national clinical director for eye care.

Louisa Wickham, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon and medical director of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, took up the newly created role earlier this month.

Her appointment was confirmed in Parliament by MP James Morris, parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department of Health and Social Care, after a question on a potential national eye health strategy was posed by Labour MP Marsha de Cordova.

Morris said that he was “delighted” at Wickham’s appointment.

Speaking on behalf of The Eyes Have It partnership, Stephen Scowcroft, director of services at the Macular Society, said: “The appointment of the new national clinical director is a really positive step forward, that gives the eye care community a new opportunity to better support patients and provide them with the practical and emotional support they need.”

Adam Sampson, AOP Chief Executive, added: “We warmly welcome Louisa Wickham in her role of national clinical director for Eye Care. This is a crucial time in forging a properly funded and cohesive approach to eye care that is so vitally needed. The appointment of an national clinical director signals a move in the right direction, recognising the increasing importance to prioritise the transformation of eye health services as part of the primary care family.

“No doubt Wickham, bringing a wealth of clinical leadership experience to the role, will be keen to set the priorities. We are very much looking forward to working with her, to help create the timely and equitable services that patients deserve.”