Profession disappointed after eye health bill dropped

Supporters of a national eye health strategy have expressed their disappointment after learning that a bill would not progress in the current parliamentary session.  

The bill would have required the Secretary of State to publish a national eye health strategy for England had it progressed successfully through the necessary stages. 

It would have included measures to: improve eye health outcomes; reduce waiting times for eye health care; improve patient experiences; ensure eye health providers worked together efficiently; increase the capacity and skills of the eye healthcare workforce; and make more effective use of research and innovation in eye healthcare.  

The bill was introduced as a Private Members’ Bill by Marsha de Cordova, the Labour MP for Battersea and co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Vision Impairment.