Dr Gillian Rudduck MCOptom, President of The College of Optometrists, commented: “The announcement today of the scrapping of NHS England must not slow the progress of reform and the government’s plans to shift focus from hospitals to primary care. With the eye care crisis in England, all currently commissioned eye care services must continue to be funded in the meantime.
"We hope that the new administration will enable increased funding to further improve eye health services and urge that future resources are allocated effectively to ensure the most efficient and sustainable delivery of care. During this period of significant change, we also hope that key expertise is not lost, as this would further set back the change needed to improve patient outcomes.
“Delivering the shift from secondary to primary eye care is essential if pressures on hospital eye services are to be reduced, and we welcome the appointment of a dedicated National Medical Director for Primary Care. Optometrists in primary care have the clinical skills to provide more NHS services and ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, to prevent unnecessary GP appointments, long hospital waiting times and avoidable sight loss.
“Furthermore, with the abolishment of NHS England, we want reassurance from the government that that General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) will remain a national demand-led service with terms, fees and grants nationally agreed and no local variation, for the benefit of patients.”
