AOP responds to NHS investment confirmed by the Chancellor 

Association of Optometrists responds to NHS investment confirmed by the Chancellor 

Investment for the NHS “must extend to the whole of primary care” to successfully deliver on the Government’s commitment to a hospital to community shift”, says CEO Adam Sampson

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has responded to the Chancellor’s Budget statement, confirming further investment into the NHS and neighbourhood health. Adam Sampson, Chief Executive of the AOP said:

“It is encouraging to see renewed investment in the NHS, and absolutely right that neighbourhood health services are being prioritised.

“But to get the full value from this commitment, and to truly bring patient care closer to home, support must reach all primary care providers.

“In particular, optimising the role of optometrists up and down the country will give the Government an immediate win, which is felt by patients. As our report with PA Consulting highlights, fully utilising optometry not only improves patient access and outcomes, it also delivers clear and significant economic benefits by reducing pressure on GPs and A&Es, and hospital eye services, enabling earlier, more efficient interventions.

“Everyone should have access to the healthcare they need, in a setting that is fast and convenient for them. What we currently have is a postcode lottery of services. If we are going to make neighbourhood care really work for patients, investment must recognise the existing workforce and estate that we already have across the whole primary care ecosystem and ensure we are empowering those professionals – our members – to deliver.”

The PA Consulting report Key interventions to transform eye care and eye health reveals the untapped clinical and socio-economic impact of primary eye care and its benefits to public health.

Ends