Viewpoint: Insisting on our viability

It is often heard from the business community that the most important thing that a business needs to succeed is stability, a solid base from which to plan the future. This should involve planning future investment to allow success for that business in the years ahead. Certainty allows for strategic planning and accurate workforce planning as well as secure financial forecasting. Certainty also allows for accurate and necessary resource and activity planning. 

The NHS, over the years, has never provided that base in the field of primary eye healthcare. This has meant that not only has the visual health of the nation’s population suffered, but businesses have often been unable to plan ahead in a secure and confident way when it comes to providing high quality eye and systemic healthcare services. It could be argued that this is particularly the case with small independent practices, especially with staff planning.