The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), The College of Optometrists and the Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) back the Government’s commitment to put patients in the driving seat and give them more control and choice over their care.
To deliver this vision for all patients in England it is vital for more care to be delivered out of hospital and closer to home. Without this change, hospitals will continue to struggle to meet the needs of our ageing population and patients will continue to suffer avoidable harm.
Primary eye care is ready to work with the Government and NHS England to make this much needed change a reality. In all communities across England, optometrists and dispensing opticians have the core clinical skills and infrastructure in place to treat more patients and help prevent avoidable sight loss owing to delays in hospital care.
It is essential that primary eye care is fully utilised as part of the government’s reform plans for elective care for the benefits of patients. By delivering more eye care services in high street optical practices we can ensure that patients go to hospital only when they need to and are then seen more quickly. This will be better for patients and better for the NHS and taxpayers.
