In Focus: Community services could save NHS 600k appointments

Recommendations for a national roll-out of minor and urgent eye care services in the community have been highlighted by the College of Optometrists. 

The professional body said local commissioners should universally commission and fund community minor and urgent eye care services across all regions of England. 

This, it noted, could reduce hospital appointments for eye services by at least 200,000 per year and 400,000 GP appointments per year, in addition to the potential financial benefits for the NHS.  

Dr Gillian Rudduck, president of the College, said: ‘The evidence is clear: community-based and optometry-led eye care services deliver safe, effective patient care for most minor and urgent eye conditions, while reducing the burden on GPs, A&E and hospital eye departments.’