News

The Eye Health Alliance has been appointed as vice-chair of the Health Hotel, a collaborative venture that organises events at political party conferences.

An important part of the conference fringe, the Health Hotel's events are attended by health ministers and spokespeople, adding to and influencing the debate on health policy.

The Alliance, vice-chair for 2008, will automatically be appointed as chair for 2009. This, it said, will ensure that the eye care sector is driving forward the debate at a key time in the political calendar.

Heather Marshall, as public affairs adviser to the Alliance, will take up a seat on the Health Hotel board. 'This is a fantastic opportunity for the whole sector which will raise our profile among key decision makers and the health community.'

FODO's chief executive David Hewlett described the move as an important milestone in getting eye health further up the political and NHS agenda. 'This is a great achievement which would have been unimaginable two years ago.'

ABDO secretary general Sir Anthony Garrett added: 'ABDO is delighted with the profile that the Eye Health Alliance has achieved at the party conferences through participation within the Health Hotel. Taking a leading role over the next two years will further enhance our ability to promote the importance of eye care to key opinion formers.'

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