Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what role does she plan for community optometry to play in delivering the Government's commitment to shift care from hospitals into the community.

Integrated care boards are responsible for deciding whether to commission enhanced eye care services from high street optical practices to meet the needs of their local populations. This is in line with the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to local decision making.

As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, the Department is investing £20 million to equip high street optometrists with the digital tools they need to refer patients faster and more accurately, helping more people get convenient eye care closer to home.

Accident and emergency departments should still be used for genuine emergencies, and we expect patients to be assessed and directed to the service that best meets their needs.