Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase capacity in hospital eye services by expanding the use of optometry-led diagnostic and treatment pathways.

The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure patients are seen on time and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care.

We recognise the importance of making better use of the optometry sector and the capabilities to support eyecare capacity in the community, in order to reduce pressures on hospital services whilst also providing care closer to home. In line with our 10-Year Health Plan, we are working to develop neighbourhood health services so that more care takes place in the community, including optometry.

Integrated care boards are responsible for assessing the health needs of their population and for commissioning primary and secondary care, such as eye and optometry services, to meet the populations’ needs.

NHS England is working with eyecare providers to consider how eyecare services should be commissioned to ensure future sustainability. This includes looking at how more patients can be triaged and managed in the community, freeing up capacity for those that need face to face specialist care.