Thousands of Northamptonshire patients waiting for eye appointments as MP backs High Street care
Around 2,200 patients in Daventry are waiting for hospital eye care as calls grow for more treatment to be provided by community opticians.
Daventry MP Stuart Andrew visited Browett’s Opticians recently to learn more about how High Street practices could help reduce pressure on NHS ophthalmology services.
Nearly one in five patients on Daventry’s ophthalmology waiting list have been waiting longer than 18 weeks, according to figures highlighted during the visit.
Across England, more than 600,000 people are awaiting an ophthalmology appointment.
Mr Andrew, former Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, met staff and saw equipment used to diagnose and monitor eye conditions.
The visit was arranged by the Association of Optometrists (AOP), which is campaigning for greater use of community practices to provide enhanced NHS eye care.
Mr Andrew said: “Optometry practices are already at the heart of communities across the country, and making better use of their expertise can help patients get the right care closer to home, while easing pressure on our wider NHS.”
Browett’s optometrist Fatema Soonsara said Northamptonshire patients currently lacked access to an equivalent enhanced community service previously offered in Coventry and Warwickshire.
The AOP is calling for more consistent provision across England.