Which optometric services across the UK are taking on more of the healthcare burden, asks John Windell.
NHS hospital eye services in the UK are at full stretch. In 2016-17, A&E departments in England handled more than 450,000 eye-related incidents (2.2 per cent of all attendances), while total ophthalmology outpatient attendances approached 7.6 million – 10 per cent higher than four years earlier (NHS Digital, 2017a; 2017b).
How does the manner in which commissioning and funding are undertaken across the four nations of the UK allow optometrists to take up more of this burden?
Sign in to continue
Not already a member of the College?
Start enjoying the benefits of College membership today. Take a look at what the College can offer you and view our membership categories and rates.
The Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning has called for the development of a coordinated approach to eyecare in its response to NHS England’s 10-Year Health Plan.
The College of Optometrists was invited to provide evidence at the parliamentary hearing on The Safer Phones Bill, a private member’s bill aimed at protecting children’s rights and well-being in the digital age.