A new public affairs strategy will see the College of Optometrists work with other optical bodies to agree how eye care practitioners can get more involved in public health and develop GP commissioning guidance.
The College has appointed a public affairs specialist, Stuart Holland, to lead its delivery, and is focusing on key areas in the Health Bill and the NHS reform of GP-led commissioning.
On June 14, a public health round-table, facilitated by the College, will take place in London. In attendance will be representatives from the UK optical sector. These will include the Local Optical Committee Support Unit, the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, the Association of Optometrists and Optometry Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Also present will be representatives from the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the UK Vision Strategy and Darren Shickle, Professor of Public Health at the Institute of Health Sciences and Public Health Research at Leeds University, and two directors of public health.
Holland said discussions would focus on the role optometrists could play in promoting eye health and preventing eye health problems and how optometry could help tackle higher profile public health challenges such as falls prevention, diabetes and smoking cessation.
He said the round-table would also discuss how optometrists could get vision on the agenda of public health directors and joint health and well-being boards in their area, perhaps by supporting local needs assessments.
Meanwhile, the College, together with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, is producing guidance on the outcomes, quality indicators and models of care GP-led commissioners should expect from good eye care services.
Commissioners, providers and patient groups should be able to use the guidance to assess which services offer good value in terms of outcomes and cost. The colleges have invited the Department of Health, the NHS Alliance, the National Association of Primary Care and the Royal College of General Practitioners to help shape the guidance.
Holland said: 'By working with a range of partners from across the sector we will ensure that the guidance not only reflects the very latest commissioning expertise but also helps to raise the profile of eye care among commissioners. This is a real opportunity for us to raise awareness of the importance of eye health.'
The guidance is expected to be published in October.