In focus: Forging links between hospitals and high street

Getting hospitals and the high street to work together to manage eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration has long been a dream thwarted by lack of leadership, a fragmented NHS and absence of political will.

At Optrafair Newmedica and Locsu signed an agreement on a post-cataract (News 20.04.18) framework for community optometrists which they say can form the basis of an England-wide model for a range of conditions.

The partners say the agreement would create a model to take to government which could create the elusive blueprint for community ophthalmology. Although the agreement covers cataract services Richard Whittington, chief operating officer of Locsu, says that it can form a basis for other treatments.