The Government has announced a package of measures to support care leavers including free prescriptions, dental and eye care services
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has welcomed new measures announced by the Government which will see a boost in healthcare support for children leaving care, including free prescriptions, dental and eye care services up to the age of 25.
Dr Peter Hampson, Clinical and Policy Director of the AOP said: “This is a positive step that recognises the vital role eye care and eye health play in people’s lives, particularly for young adults leaving care.
“Good eye health is essential for education, employment and wellbeing, and it is encouraging to see the Government acknowledge this through targeted support for care leavers.
“While the move will benefit tens of thousands of young people, it also underlines a wider issue that we still need to address. Our simple and longstanding ask to the Government is that access to a range of eye care services should be available on the high street everywhere in England, for everyone who needs it.
“Too many people still face barriers to accessing routine eye care, which can lead to avoidable sight loss, and places unnecessary pressure on other parts of the healthcare system including GPs and A&E departments. We urge the Government to build on this welcome announcement by committing to equitable eye care provision across all parts of England, ensuring no one goes without when it comes to protecting their eye sight.”
The AOP recently met with over 30 parliamentarians across all parties at their ‘Eye care in your constituency’ Westminster drop-in. At the event MPs expressed their support for primary care optometry services – including Minor Eye Conditions Services (MECS) and Community Urgent Eyecare Services (CUES) – to ensure that everyone in England has access to eye care wherever they live.
The PA Consulting report Key interventions to transform eye care and eye health reveals the impact of these services to public health, if delivered nationwide, including improving patient outcomes, reducing pressure on the health system and delivering £98m cost savings to the NHS every year.
