Health groups pleased with party conference season

Integrated healthcare provisions promised at latest party conferences have been welcomed by a new coalition of primary care organisations.

The Optical Confederation joined representatives from audiology, dentistry and pharmacists to welcome the rebuilding of primary care beyond GP services.

They welcomed reported commitments made by senior politicians from all three parties to support a model of care bringing NHS services closer to the community and making best use of the skills of health professionals.

Don Grocott, chair of the Optical Confederation, said: ‘Only by the whole of primary care working together can we keep people fit and well, independent and out of hospital. The whole perspective of care needs to be redefined for the 21st century.’