Specsavers has expressed support for a national eye health strategy in England ahead of a parliamentary debate on the issue to be held next Tuesday (29 November).
MPs are set to discuss a national eye health strategy when Marsha de Cordova, co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment, brings forward a Ten Minute Rule Bill highlighting the need for such a plan on Tuesday 29 November.
Ahead of the debate, the MP has tabled a Parliamentary Early Day Motion setting out what such a strategy would focus on, including to ‘eliminate the postcode lottery of eyecare treatment’ and ‘ensure providers of care are joined up’ to reduce NHS ophthalmology backlogs and improve health outcomes. The motion also notes the personal and economic costs of sight loss.
“We support a national eye health strategy because of the huge importance of eye health, not only to individuals but to their families and to Britain as a whole,” said Giles Edmonds, clinical services director at Specsavers.
“Specsavers is all about changing lives through better sight – and we believe that by the eye health sector working together we can better support our patients and the NHS,” he added – pointing to the findings of a major new report published earlier this month.
The State of the UK’s Eye Health 2022 report, produced by Specsavers, warned the UK faces a glaucoma ‘time bomb’ with long waiting lists for NHS ophthalmology appointments. It also highlighted the need for an enhanced role for community optometrists working with ophthalmologists as being crucial to fulfilling pent-up demand and unmet need.
“The necessity to draw on the skills of the entire eyecare sector to prevent avoidable sight loss was one of the key takeaways from the report and we would wholeheartedly support a national eye health strategy that helps deliver this,” added Giles.