Ministers urged to expand community optometry and audiology
While the announcements largely focus on consultant-led elective care, Specsavers Clinical Services Director Giles Edmonds welcomed Sir Keir Starmer’s plan and called for the Westminster government to show the same ambition to expand access to primary and community care services.
The role of community-based practices
Mr Edmonds highlighted the important role that the sector already plays in delivering NHS services in the community and emphasised its readiness to do even more to change lives.
‘We already have hundreds of community-based practices offering diagnostic services on the high street.
'Let's not miss the opportunity to help hundreds of thousands of people waiting for hospital eye care by treating more in the community,’ notes Mr Edmonds.
Commitment and collaboration
He was speaking after Sir Keir unveiled a plan to reduce NHS waiting lists for elective surgery and reinforce patient choice in England.
The Westminster government has also set out three shifts for the NHS in England: from illness to prevention, from hospital to community, and from analogue to digital.
‘We welcome the announcement and the government’s commitment to working with the independent sector to tackle waiting lists for elective care.
'We now need to see the same ambition in working with primary and community care providers to improve access to care," adds Mr Edmonds.
Specsavers' contribution to community care
‘Specsavers’ hundreds of practices across England are staffed by experts in eye and hearing care dedicated to serving their communities.
‘They already deliver important NHS services and have the skills to do more, supporting and collaborating with colleagues in secondary care.
'We also use hospital-grade equipment to care and treat our patients,’ he continues.
‘Specsavers will continue to make the case to government that now is the time to improve access to care for patients in England by fully utilising the workforce in community optics and hearing care.
‘Developments in Scotland and Wales also provide examples of how extending such services can deliver benefits’.