Optometry must win over NHS commissioners

Optometry must demonstrate more attractive models for enhanced optical services to commissioners if care spanning optometry and ophthalmology is to be realised.

Speaking exclusively to Optician during Optrafair, Specsavers co-founder Doug Perkins said the professions could work together but admitted that creating the conditions whereby national models could be implemented for EOS was hugely frustrating.

He said optometry would have to continue to train staff and equip themselves in readiness but without longer term structures the investment was difficult to justify. Last year Specsavers trained 3,000 staff in Mecs.

Commissioning of services was flatlining and optometry had to demonstrate models that saved the NHS money to win over hospital trusts and health boards averse to outsourcing.