Optician does not have the luxury of late editions, so come 4pm on a Tuesday, the content for each given week is locked in. With that in mind, calling the outcome of a general election two days before polling day would normally be foolish, but as even Tory talk has now turned to preventing a Labour ‘super majority’, it is safe to say that by the time you read this, there will be a new government waiting to get started.
So, what does day one look like for a Labour government? Building an NHS that is fit for the future is one of the key priorities in the party’s mission statement, but Labour has said it will prioritise the economy, securing borders and national security. The NHS will have to wait until there’s more money in the coffers.
This condensed campaign trail has seen Labour shadow health minister Wes Streeting talk openly about using high street optometry to help reduce ophthalmology backlogs, but it is essential that the government delivers the detail that the sector is crying out for. IT infrastructure, joined-up commissioning in England and one thing that people do not like to talk about, remuneration, all need more meat on the bone before anyone can get carried away.
The sector is right to champion the opportunities that could be on offer, but the opportunities need to be worthwhile for those on the frontline. For far too long, the sector has been browbeaten by government departments on every part of general ophthalmic service payments. Has there been any indication that this will change under a new Labour administration?
It needs to balance the country’s books, find investment for improved IT systems and then pay high street practices for their role in helping the NHS get back on its feet. I am firmly of the opinion that a Labour government will provide a better and fairer country in the medium term, but less convinced that the eye care sector will benefit significantly any time soon.
