Much is said and written about the government’s lack of understanding of the world of optics and in particular the missed opportunities in England to introduce a strategy that puts optometry at the centre of primary eye health care provision, particularly in England.
The recent Westminster Hall debate which came to the conclusion that a strategy for preventing avoidable sight loss in England is required, was a very positive step forward, but was of course immediately followed by the announcement of a general election. As a result momentum could easily be lost.
Perhaps this serves to suggest that a fresh approach to getting the message across politically should be considered.
Trying to secure a change to the political agenda from the top down has proved completely ineffective over a long period of time. Why not try to build the messaging from the bottom up?
While ministerial roles change regularly as do the incumbents filling them, MPs tend to represent their constituencies for long periods of time. Further the messages that optics wishes to get across should be non-party political and not dependent on which party or combination of parties is in power.
Constructing a long-term strategy for engaging with all MPs in their constituencies that is focused on putting optometry at the centre of eye health care with the messaging ‘we can save the NHS a lot of money’ surely warrants consideration. It is not unknown for major reform to happen from the bottom up rather than the top down.