Devon LOC visits Westminster to lobby local MPs

Left to right: Charles Bill, Vice-Chairman, Max Halford, Chairman and Jonathan Drew, Business Manager

The Devon Local Optical Committee visited Westminster on Tuesday 25 October for a roundtable discussion with the Devon MPs hosted by Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton.

The Devon LOC along with Neil Parish were joined by Ben Bradshaw, Sarah Wollaston, Kevin Foster and Anne-Marie Morris along with Parliamentary Assistants representing the other Devon MPs.

All the Devon MPs have visited optician practices across Devon and have seen the workforce in the community and heard what optometrists and dispensing opticians can offer and have personally seen the innovative technology and services available to patients.

Max Halford, Chairman of Devon Local Optical Committee said: “Community optical practices are at the forefront of delivering high quality, patient-centred and cost effective healthcare in community settings. It was encouraging to hear that the local MPs were all hugely supportive of the work optometrists and dispensing opticians do in their communities, and that the MPs fully support the role of community optical practices in delivering minor eye conditions services. It was great to see our local MPs get behind us and support opticians in Devon to provide high quality eye care across the county.”

Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton said “It was a pleasure to welcome the Devon Local Optical Committee to Parliament for the meeting. I know all my Devon colleagues who attended learned a lot and saw first-hand the crucial work optometrists and opticians carry out in our local communities.

Especially in a largely rural part of the country like Devon, it is vital people know where they can access high quality eye care. As with so many health problems, it’s important that minor eye conditions are spotted early before they become more serious. Eye problems can also be a sign of other serious health conditions, like diabetes and high cholesterol, so it’s important people get checked regularly.”