Roll-out of FP10 pads in Greater Manchester welcomed

Roll-out of FP10 pads in Greater Manchester welcomed

Specsavers is welcoming a move to expand FP10 prescription pad access for community optometrists in Greater Manchester.

The move enables independent prescribing (IP) optometrists in the region to prescribe medications directly to patients, supporting a new ‘eye care navigation service’ designed to streamline urgent care and ease pressure on hospitals and GPs.

‘Access to FP10 pads means IP optometrists can now treat and manage patients fully within the primary care setting,’ says Sarah Joyce, director of optometry at Specsavers.

‘This is a significant change. Previously, patients would have been referred to hospital eye services or their GP for a prescription – now they can receive comprehensive care closer to home.’

She adds the move is a practical realisation of the Westminster government’s vision for a neighbourhood health service, as outlined in its 10-year health plan for England.

‘We believe that by commissioning similar services across England, patients would benefit from care delivered by local experts who understand their communities, while hospitals are freed up to focus on the most complex cases.’

The developments come as Specsavers is supporting more of its optometrists to qualify as independent prescribers, with colleagues in Greater Manchester utilising FP10 pads to provide timely treatment. ‘As the system matures, we expect the number of patients treated in this way to rise,’ says Ms Joyce.

She also points to Wales and Scotland as proven examples, where the introduction of prescription pads for IP community optometrists has transformed care pathways. ‘The experience shows that empowering optometrists in primary care can save hundreds of GP hours and ensure patients receive treatment faster and closer to home.

‘We welcome this step in Greater Manchester, which sets a precedent for national adoption. The evidence is clear – with the right commissioning, optometrists can play a pivotal role in primary eye care and relieve the burden on the NHS as a whole.’