Eye Care Plan launch put off until the spring

The DoH has delayed the Plan's launch Ð originally scheduled for next month Ð to as late as April, due to 'attendance' issues.
However, sources close to optician believe the delay to be the result of the rejection of the cataract pathway by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
They suggested the RCOalso has doubts about the viability of the AMD and therapeutics plans, hinting more problems lie ahead.
The DoH, however, denied that the RCO had questioned the cataract pathway.
Head of GOS Derek Busby informed Eye Care Services Steering Group of the delay by email on Tuesday. He said: 'We are postponing the launch events [because] we are now very close to the dates that we had intended to hold the events and have not been able to advertise as we await formal clearance. This means that notice for people who might attend will be very short and this would certainly affect attendance. It is important that we make these events a success and get the right people there, our view is [to] plan for March/April.'
He added that workforce modelling, the proposed fifth therapeutics pathway and remuneration issues should be finalised before presentation.
samantha.daltonrbi.co.uk