Organisations and businesses across the optical profession, healthcare, and the High Street, have spoken of the opportunities that a new Government could provide, and set out their key asks of the new administration.
Wes Streeting MP was named Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, having previously held the role in the shadow cabinet.
Following the general election, OT heard from businesses and organisations on what they hope to see from the new Government.
Refocus on primary care
Adam Sampson, chief executive of the AOP, said: “We are urging the new Government to seize the moment, to put a refocus on primary care at the heart of the health agenda.”
“Better use of all our community-based colleagues will be vital in fixing the seismic challenges we face in the NHS, and optometry has a crucial role to play,” he added.
Ahead of the General Election, the AOP published Visionary change in eye health, outlining core priorities for a new government and the three actions needed to “fast-track the transformation of eye care for patients.” Read more here.
Following up on manifesto commitments
In the run-up to the election, the Labour party had committed to “improving access to services and treatments through new routes,” and enabling optometrists to refer directly into specialised services where appropriate.
Following the installation of the new Government, primary eye care sector bodies published a joint statement highlighting the role of optometry in cutting NHS waiting lists.
The AOP, the Federation of Dispensing Opticians, and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians statement intended to follow up on the new Government’s pre-election and manifesto commitments to work with primary eye care to address waiting times in hospital ophthalmology. Read the joint statement on OT.
Eye care as a priority in the health agenda
Eilidh Thomson, vice chair of Optometry Scotland, said: “It is encouraging that the Labour government has indicated a strong commitment to strengthening the NHS and increasing investment in public health.”
Thomson said Labour’s manifesto promises to reduce health inequalities and address NHS workforce shortages should “ensure a more robust and sustainable workforce to meet the eye care needs of the nation.”
“Optometry Scotland looks forward to engaging with the new Government to advocate for the interests of our members and to ensure that eye care remains a priority in the broader health agenda across the UK,” she added.
First port of call in eye care
The College of Optometrists suggested that a new government presents opportunities to increase the focus on healthcare.
The College has penned an open letter urging the Department of Health and Social Care to prioritise eye health and establish optometrists as the first port of call for anyone with an eye care issue.
Dr Gillian Rudduck, president of the College, wrote in the open letter: “We look forward to working with you and your team to make this a reality, and ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, and at the right time.”
Digital connections for optometry
Andrew Bridges, director of professional services at Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care, told OT: “I would echo the comments shared by the optical primary care representative bodies to urge the new Government to work with primary care eye care providers to reduce long waiting times for secondary care ophthalmology appointments, and in turn further help to prevent sight loss that may be avoidable.”
Structured pathways have been created for cataract care, Bridges noted, adding: “It is long overdue for all trained, qualified, and equipped community optometrists across the nations to support those patients suspected of having glaucoma and for those with the condition to be conveniently supported in primary care.”
Optometrists can help to relieve the burden on GPs and A&E departments, he added, suggesting a fully-funded single national strategy for urgent eye care in primary care could play a part in overhauling the NHS.
“To achieve this, it is imperative that primary care optometrists are fully connected digitally to the NHS network,” Bridges said, adding that this would support high quality continuous patient care through access to records and enabling the sharing of images and findings.
It is imperative that primary care optometrists are fully connected digitally to the NHS network
Improving access to care
In a statement, Specsavers expressed its readiness to help deliver eye and health care to improve access to care and support the NHS.
Giles Edmonds, clinical services director at Specsavers, said: “we welcome plans to make greater use of High Street optometry and audiology services to cut waiting lists and provide more accessible and convenient care for patients.”
Specsavers released a manifesto for better sight and hearing during the election campaign, proposing steps that would make better use of community optometry and audiology, including the introduction of a nationally commissioned community urgent eye care service.
A single standardised pathway in England for the detection, management, and monitoring of glaucoma in the community was another proposed reform in Specsavers’ manifesto, along with ending unnecessary barriers in England to eye health services for residents of care homes and for people experiencing homelessness not in receipt of state benefits.
“The manifesto focuses on reforms that will have the biggest impact on improving access to care – with action in England needed in particular to tackle a postcode lottery,” Edmonds said.
He commented: “We stand ready to partner with NHS hospital eye and audiology services and GPs to improve patient care. We will continue to work with colleagues across the primary eye and ear health sector to continue to make the positive case for improved access to care for patients, the NHS, and the country.”
Social support and business sustainability
Barney Streeting, chief commercial officer for Hakim Group, described the change in government as “a pivotal moment for the optical sector.”
“Effective leadership and a long-term commitment to supporting those most in need are crucial. We believe the new administration’s promise to bring change offers an opportunity to enhance primary care, including optometry services, which can significantly alleviate pressures on the NHS,” he said.
Fostering a positive business environment will be essential to enable innovation and job creation, Streeting added, including policies supporting business growth and development.
Enhanced optometry services, such as community-based glaucoma monitoring and minor eye condition services, have the potential to save the NHS “millions of pounds annually and achieve significant savings for taxpayers,” he said.
“By focusing on primary care and community services, we can ensure that the optical sector not only meets growing healthcare demands but also plays a vital role in driving economic growth,” Streeting shared.
He continued: “This dual focus on social support and business sustainability will help us make a real difference in the lives of many, ensuring that everyone has access to the eye care they need.”
By focusing on primary care and community services, we can ensure that the optical sector not only meets the growing healthcare demands but also plays a vital role in driving economic growth
Addressing the cost of doing business
Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), shared: “The clear result of the general election gives hope that political stability can lead to economic stability and recovery.”
McKenzie described a “golden chance” for the new administration to “plant the seeds of small business growth” in the first 100 days.
Policies that the FSB hope to see include measures to ease the cost of doing business, along with support for investment and expansion.
“Supporting and growing small businesses is good for jobs, good for communities in all parts of the country, and good for the whole economy,” she said.
Ensuring social care reform is part of the agenda
Lisa Hopkins, CEO of SeeAbility, commented: “With such a majority, Labour has the luxury of knowing it can advance its agenda with a weakened opposition. We must collectively and passionately ensure that social care reform is part of this agenda, setting a vision that embraces the value of care and support to transform people’s lives, and the economy.”
SeeAbility has supported the Good Lives Manifesto 2024 which sets out the changes that people with learning disabilities, their family members, and the people who work with them, would like to see.
Hopkins explained: “SeeAbility has thrown its weight behind a new manifesto to transform the lives of people with learning disabilities, who suffer some of the worst inequalities, and access to eye care is no different.”
“This is why we need to see the NHS special schools eye care service rollout in a properly resourced way, and why we support the case for a national eye health strategy, which is desperately needed to ensure everyone – including people with learning disabilities – have preventative and accessible eye care in the community and so reduce hospital waiting lists,” she said.
We must collectively and passionately ensure that social care reform is part of this agenda, setting a vision that embraces the value of care and support to transform people’s lives, and the economy
Breaking barriers for people with sight loss
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) welcomed the new UK Government with Eleanor Thompson, interim director of campaigns, sharing: “We’re really looking forward to working with the new Government and the new Parliament, to create a country where there are no barriers to people with sight loss.”
Thompson thanked campaign volunteers and supporters who, “helped us achieve a huge amount in just a few short weeks.”
We’re really looking forward to working with the new Government and the new Parliament, to create a country where there are no barriers to people with sight loss
In the run-up to the election the charity ran a campaign, #BlindVotersCount, highlighting the challenges blind and partially sighted people face when exercising the democratic right to cast a secret and independent vote and the solutions that are available but have not been rolled out nationwide.
Since the General Election was first announced, a total of 127 candidates agreed to be RNIB Champions, including 26 who then went on to be elected MPs.
“This brings our total number of RNIB MP Champions to 114, meaning that we’ll have a strong starting point for getting action on issues affecting blind and partially sighted people,” the charity shared.
As a priority, RNIB will be highlighting the need for timely access to quality vision rehabilitation services in England, calling for clear guidance and national standards.
Eye health services will also be top of the agenda for RNIB, with the charity sharing: “despite the potentially life-changing impacts of sight loss, there is a crisis in access to vital NHS care and treatment.”
As part of a coalition of organisations, RNIB is asking the new Government to commit to ensuring those affected by eye conditions receive timely, expert care, and is calling for a national plan for eye care in England.
A step change in life sciences
Fight for Sight/Vision Foundation shared in a social media post: “We’re looking forward to working with the Labour Government to support a step change in life sciences, ensuring that research into understanding, diagnosing, preventing, and treating eye disease is given the priority it deserves.”
“We’ll be working with the new administration, including through The Eyes Have It partnership funded by Roche, to contribute to shortening ophthalmology waiting lists, advocating for increased funding for vital research, and driving transformative change for blind and vision impaired people,” the statement concluded.
The role of independent service providers in ophthalmology
Nigel Kirkpatrick, medical director at Newmedica, emphasised the scale of the waiting lists in NHS ophthalmology, and highlighted the role of independent service providers in supporting the work to reduce this backlog.
“Barriers to access and patient choice” must be addressed by the new Government, Kirkpatrick said.
He welcomed Labour’s manifesto commitment to use the independent sector in order to ensure “patients are diagnosed and treated more quickly because of the urgent need to bring down NHS waiting lists and manage the ongoing care of patients suffering with chronic eye disease.”
Concluding, Kirkpatrick said Newmedica is ready to “work with colleagues across the wider health service to deliver our mission to improve consistency of access to care.”
We are all encouraged by the pledges set out by the government before it took office, but now those pledges need to be backed up by action
Pledges backed by action
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents the healthcare system in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, said: “A new government with such a clear mandate is an opportunity to transform the NHS for the better and build the health of the nation.”
The organisation pointed out that the funding crisis and resolving pay disputes with junior doctors and GPs is an urgent priority, “otherwise, the clear risk is that the task of tackling lengthy waiting lists and restoring performance in other areas will be held back.”
“But we must be under no illusions that these are the only things that need done – the road to recovery is going to be very long following a decade of underinvestment in the health service,” Taylor said.
He continued: “Our members are hopeful the new government can support the NHS to turn a corner following austerity, the pandemic, industrial action and other recovery challenges. We are all encouraged by the pledges set out by the government before it took office, but now those pledges need to be backed up by action.”
The NHS Confederation has identified five critical factors needed to secure the future of the health service, one of which being the provision of more care closer to home, “enabling local health systems to proportionally increase investment into primary care and community-based services, mental health and social care.”
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