AOP and FODO join OFNC to say “Primary care sets out ‘asks’ for Health and Care Bill “

AOP and FODO join OFNC to say “Primary care sets out ‘asks’ for Health and Care Bill “

AOP calls for essential primary care representation in Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs)

The UK Government has set out reform plans for the NHS in England. As the Health and Care Bill enters committee stage, representative bodies across NHS primary care are setting out ‘key asks’ to ensure integrated care happens through engagement with primary care providers at all levels.

The AOP, as part of the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC), has given our view on what is needed for optometry.

Adam Sampson, AOP Chief Executive, explains: “The new design framework for NHS integrated care systems offers important opportunities that optometry must capitalise on. More consistent commissioning of extended eye care services is a prime example of improved patient care and better use of the highly skilled, practitioners in optics. But it is essential that optometry has a place at the table to input at a strategic level in order to create real transformation, reduce pressure on the NHS, and deliver robust and sustainable eyecare for all.”

In February the AOP flagged potential risks around the reforms relating to GOS commissioning, and we continue to work with others in the sector to manage those risks.

The AOP published our Strategy for Optometry in June 2021, which set out our view of the future of optometry to provide consistent and efficient eye care across the UK.

David Hewlett, FODO Director, said: “As FODO members are aware, NHS England has confirmed to the OFNC that General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) will remain a national contract with terms, fees and grants continuing to be negotiated nationally. Therefore, our focus has been on ensuring the new legislation delivers on the promise of delivering more integrated care outside hospitals.

“NHS England’s proposed new structures are still very ‘acute dominated’. The Bill sessions so far have been notable for the absence of any discussion about the role of primary care at strategic levels in shaping the new systems and care models. A lone GP on the Integrated Care Board will not cut it. This omission has driven the primary care representative bodies to come together in an unprecedented way to call for greater primary care representation (in its fullest sense, including optics) on Integrated Care Partnerships where local health and care strategies will be developed.”