In Focus: High street optometry will be leveraged by Labour

^{Labour shadow health minister Karin Smyth}

UK optics has begun to have its say in response to the Labour Party’s plans to use high street optometry practices to deliver routine NHS ophthalmology outpatient appointments.

At an Institute for Government conference on January 23, Labour shadow health minister Karin Smyth said high street optical practices would be ‘put to work’ by a Labour government to bring down the 617,000 people now waiting for NHS ophthalmology appointments.

‘There are 6,000 high street opticians in England, equipped with specialist staff and kit that can get patients seen faster,’ said Smyth. ‘We will put them to work to beat the Tory backlog, free up hospital specialists to treat the patients in serious need, all at greater convenience to patients.