High street optics to be force for reform, says Health Minister Alistair Burt

Health minister Alistair Burt attended a ‘very positive’ briefing with leaders from the optical sector in January, who told the minister of state for community and social care that high-street practices could be a force for reform.

Burt agreed that practices could help the NHS to deliver reforms set out in its Five Year Forward View, and reduce the pressure on GPs and hospitals.

He was told how an IT bid submitted by the sector to NHS England was critical to the secure sharing of patient records – with out-of-hospital care ‘dependent on this connectivity’.

Responding on behalf of the Optical Confederation and Locsu, ABDO general secretary Sir Tony Garrett said: ‘This was a very positive meeting. We welcome the minister’s interest in the sector and look forward to working with him.’