Professional Matters Optometry & Dispensing
Bodies to the announcement that NHS England will be abolished
AOP responds to the announcement that NHS England will be abolished
AOP welcomes an opportunity for a “serious reset” of the health fundamentals in England and to deliver on the Government’s priorities for the NHS including eye care
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has responded to the announcement that NHS England will be abolished.
Adam Sampson, Chief Executive of the AOP, said: “It is clear that the NHS has not been getting the basics right. The public rightly want an NHS that works for them but their trust in the system has been eroded.
“Fundamental change is needed. With a growing crisis of longer waiting lists, staff shortages and funding constraints – the time for reform is long overdue. This moment presents a serious reset of the health fundamentals in England and the opportunity to deliver on the Government’s commitment to the three big shifts, in particular moving care from hospital to community settings.
“Crucially, this reform must deliver on Lord Darzi’s call for a rebalancing of investment from secondary to primary care – including optometry – to ensure a more integrated, accessible, and resilient system that delivers for the public.
“Our work over the past year, including our co-commissioned PA report, has highlighted that the opportunity to do things differently is very much within our grasp. We believe that ensuring eye care is part of a transformed primary care service is essential to meet the rising demand for health care of a growing, ageing population, and shift to a prevention-led service that will help to keep people well and grow the economy.
“It is fair to say our evidence-based calls for extending the role of community optometry have been met with a combination of disinterest and resistance by some key individuals in NHS England; indeed, their preferred direction of travel seems to be to concentrate more rather than less of the limited eye care spend in the hands of hospitals. As politicians of all persuasions have agreed today, this change will remove some of the blockers to the transformation of our health services.
“We look forward to working with the government to ensure the 10-Year Health Plan is a success, bringing care closer to home and creating a prevention-led, digital health service that is fit for the future. It’s time for action to rebuild public trust and deliver on the Government’s vision; a healthcare system that works for all.”
NHS England was set up to provide arms-length operational independence for the NHS from government. The news follows the resignation of Amanda Pritchard, NHS England Chief Executive at the end of February.
The College of Optometrists responds to the abolishment of NHS England
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.”
