DoH director outlines eye care opportunity

Emerging general practitioner commissioners have the chance to remedy the 'Cinderella status' of eye health, according to the Department of Health (DoH) director responsible for improving primary care commissioning.

Jill Matthews, national implementation director for primary care improvement, said under the Health Bill recently introduced to Parliament (News 26.01.11) commissioners had an opportunity to use opticians and optometrists to provide enhanced services in the local community.

'Vulnerable groups must be a priority when local health services are commissioned, and that includes eye care,' she said. According to Matthews, leaving eye care services as a low priority would mean that patients such as the elderly may not get the easy access they need to early detection and treatment of eye conditions close to home.