Simon Jones: Streets ahead

It was nice to see optometry get a brief mention recently across mainstream media by Labour shadow secretary for health, Wes Streeting, who used eye care as an example of where resources were wasted.

Speaking on LBC radio, Streeting said all optical practices should have the ability to refer directly to ophthalmology departments, which would save time and money for GPs and the NHS. All very admirable, but I feel it was a bit of a tap-in, because many optometrists do refer directly already, and all do in Wales.

Not only that, but direct referral pathways from community optometrists to ophthalmology services for all urgent and elective eye consultations are already part of NHS strategy and are scheduled to be introduced in September this year.