Moving care closer to home: after 30 years of policy failure – what now?

In partnership with Progressive Britain – a policymaking and political education platform centred on the Labour Party – we will be hosting a fringe event at this year’s autumn Labour Party Conference.

The event, taking place on Sunday 22 September, will be a panel discussion on the untapped potential of primary healthcare services in the community, responding and offering solutions to the underinvestment witnessed over the past 30 years.

At the event, speakers will explore the part that primary healthcare providers, including optometrists, can play in Labour’s vision for a neighbourhood health service and better prevention of ill health.

Featuring representatives across healthcare and policy, Adam Sampson, AOP Chief Executive will be joined by Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock, Dr Samira Anane, GP and Deputy Chair of GPC England, and Sarah Reed, Senior Fellow at the Nuffield Trust.

Adam Sampson said: “Britain is facing unprecedented levels of strain on its healthcare system. Over 7m people are languishing on an NHS waiting list, and an even bigger number face barriers to care every day. As the Darzi Report has concluded, without a radical rethink, this is only set to get worse.

“Our primary care system offers opportunities to address these challenges, but reform will be a critical component to success. Through our panel discussion with the Minister and experts across healthcare, we want to shine a spotlight on how we tackle the policy failings of the last decades. We need to put optometry, alongside primary care colleagues, front and centre, ensuring investment in the healthcare services that can truly deliver for patients and our NHS.”

Are you planning to attend any of the autumn party conferences this year? If so, get in touch with the Communications team – we hope to see you there: [email protected]