Alliance seeks backing to influence politicians

The Eye Health Alliance (EHA) has called for optical companies to become involved with the Health Hotel in what it describes as a crucial pre-election year.

This year the EHA is chairing the Health Hotel and is seeking corporate sponsorship for events organised by the Hotel around the three main annual political party conferences.

These include a 'Question Time' evening event and various fringe debates about health policy and social care which bring together ministers, MPs, Health Hotel members and health stakeholders.

An EHA spokesperson explained the significance of the Hotel's role in 2009: 'We don't know who's going to be in the next government, so it's even more important that we've got a good relationship with all three parties. This year lots of parliamentary candidates will be going to their party conference. It's just a case of building a relationship with them now so if they do get elected eye health issues are on their radar.'