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:
- Shared our views in the Health Service Journal about How Labour can end the eye care crisis. In the article, our President, Professor Ben Burton, outlines the urgent need for the government to tackle the shortfall in ophthalmologists, ensure frictionless two-way information sharing between optometry and ophthalmology, and develop a clearer approach to commissioning independent sector capacity – all underpinned by a national plan for eye care.
- Responded to the government-commissioned Darzi Review into NHS performance in England, the findings of which will inform a new 10-year plan. Our response cited the narrow focus on cutting cataract waiting lists and emphasised the need for much stronger action on follow-up waiting lists and for data on follow-up cases and risk rating to be better integrated into the decision-making process of commissioners and NHS trusts. Patients waiting for follow-up ophthalmology appointments are often at greatest risk of irreversible sight loss if not treated promptly.
- Contacted a range of policymakers across the UK to progress our key priorities. This included urging the new Health Secretary in Wales, Mark Drakeford, to speedily implement an electronic patient record system for eye care and support delivery of the National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology, and encouraging MPs in areas of England with long ophthalmology waiting lists to ask local NHS commissioners how they plan to tackle this issue.
- Shaped the development of the pathway for medical technology in the NHS, by responding to an NHS England/NICE consultation. Our submission outlined the need for interoperability to be a key principle of the pathway, sampling biases to be addressed, data from innovations to be proactively monitored and tracked, and a simple proportionate process for those innovators seeking approval to be introduced.