As the voice of the profession, we work closely with our members, partners across the eye care sector and policymakers to improve public policy so key challenges facing ophthalmology services across the UK are recognised and addressed.
Since our last roundup, we have been particularly busy following Parliament’s return from summer recess. We:
- Responded to the publication of the Darzi review, which investigated NHS performance. Our statement and analysis highlighted the welcome conclusions Darzi reached, such as the need to improve capital investment and digital systems to unlock productivity gains.
- Arranged to meet the Chief Medical Officer of an Integrated Care Board to discuss how to tackle long waiting times for ophthalmology appointments in the area. This engagement followed us raising the issue with local MPs.
- Supported the publication of a new resource, Prevalence and incidence of eye conditions, that provides best available data for 250+ eye conditions as well as estimates for the number of required attendances for each condition, and the composition of the optimum multi-disciplinary workforce for a single clinical session in each subspecialty.
- Heard our recommendations raised by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges as part of its representations to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. We suggested greater involvement of professional clinical bodies, such as medical royal colleges, in pandemic planning and more rational use of the independent sector (including training provision) during and after a pandemic.
- Wrote to the incoming Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, Layla Moran MP, outlining our recommendations for areas of scrutiny the committee should consider.
- Wrote to the new Health and Social Care spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, Helen Morgan MP, highlighting the key challenges facing NHS ophthalmology services and the solutions the Liberal Democrats should press the government to deliver.
- Were cited in article on the Welsh Parliament’s website – Eye watering: Ophthalmology waiting lists in Wales.
- Saw our President, Professor Ben Burton, quoted in an article for The Ophthalmologist, on The Private Health Impact on NHS Eye Surgery.
