Health inquiry recognises primary care optometry

^{L to R: Neil Foster, optometrist and director, Specsavers Kingswood, Shadow health secretary Karin Smyth, Specsavers clinical services director Giles Edmonds, Susan Dyer, optical assistant, Damien Green, Labour candidate for Bristol Kingswood, Adam McGregor, practice manager and Stephen McAndrew, Specsavers director of NHS Services.} 

Primary care optometry gained recognition in a year-long inquiry by the Times Health Commission, with evidence from 600 witnesses, including 10 former health secretaries, a former prime minister and public health officials.

The report recognised the role of optometry in tackling conditions early such as glaucoma and noted Specsaver’s suggestion that patients could be discharged from hospitals to community services if funding streams were updated.