Devon LOC hits Westminster to lobby local MPs

Key members of Devon LOC met with MPs in parliament this week to discuss eye care issues in the county.

Chairman of Devon LOC Max Halford, vice chairman Charles Bill and business manager Jonathan Drew raised issues with the five of Devon’s MPs regarding the lack of minor eye condition schemes in the area.

Although cataract and glaucoma services are already available in the area, a minor eye condition scheme could provide urgent or emergency eye care to treat patients instead of going to A&E or their GP, they argued.

Issues with the NHS’s Sustainability and Transformation Plans were also discussed.

Drew said: ‘In the plans, optometrists and dispensing opticians aren’t included in the work force, but other primary care professions are. We are trying to get MPs support locally and nationally to raise the profile of the eye care profession as a workforce.’