SightCare has written to government ministers and parliamentarians on behalf of its members to raise concerns about how any future mandatory eyesight testing scheme for older drivers is commissioned and delivered.
Emma Rawlings, CEO of SightCare, said she had been in dialogue with the Association for Independent Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (AIO) to ensure “the independent sector presents a united voice on the issue”.
Both organisations share concerns around “patient choice, fair commissioning and the potential impact on independent practices”, she said.
Emma said she had also written to five MPs including James Murray, secretary of state for health and social care and Marsha De Cordova MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment, “to ensure the views of independent optical practices are fully considered as part of the ongoing consultation regarding eyesight testing for drivers aged over 70”.
In its correspondence, SightCare highlighted concerns that a “centrally commissioned or exclusive provider model could unintentionally exclude thousands of experienced independent optometrists who already deliver NHS-funded eyecare services across the UK”.
Emma said: “Independent opticians play a vital role in delivering accessible eyecare within local communities. We fully support measures that improve road safety, but any future scheme must make use of the expertise and capacity that already exists across the independent sector.
“Patients should be free to choose where they receive their eye care and should not be directed towards a limited number of providers. We believe there should be a level playing field that enables all suitably qualified practices to participate.”
The organisation argues that “independent practices are often at the heart of their communities, providing continuity of care through long-standing patient relationships and supporting local employment and High Streets”.
SightCare’s submission also notes that any future commissioning framework should align with General Optical Council standards, which place patients at the centre of decision-making and support informed patient choice.
The organisation has called on government to ensure that any future scheme:
Emma added: “Road safety and support for independent healthcare providers should not be viewed as competing objectives. By adopting an inclusive approach, government can improve road safety outcomes while preserving patient choice and supporting community-based healthcare services across the UK.”
SightCare says it would welcome the opportunity to “contribute further to discussions as the consultation progresses and to help develop a fair and sustainable national solution that benefits patients, practitioners and policymakers alike”.