26.07.13
National body to lead on eyecare commissioning
A new Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning has been formed to provide national leadership for those commissioning and delivering services in England.
The body will work with NHS England and provide evidence-based advice on the development of services to meet local needs. The council will also contribute to NICE guidance on cataract and glaucoma services, and aims to improve quality of services for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the College of Optometrists will lead the council and its members include: Association of Directors of Adult Social Services;
Association of British Dispensing Opticians; British and Irish Orthoptic Society; Faculty of Public Health; Local Optical Committee Support Unit; Optical Confederation; Royal College of General Practitioners; Royal College of Nursing; Royal National Institute of Blind People; and Vision 2020 UK.
President of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and first chair of the new Clinical Council Professor Harminder Dua said: “Key players with interest in eye health have seized the opportunity to create history. The diversity and depth of collective expertise should make the Council a natural port of call for anyone seeking advice on eye health commissioning, based on best available evidence and in the best interest of patients.”
Dr Kamlesh Chauhan, president of the College of Optometrists, said: “New treatments and an ageing population mean we are helping more patients than ever to beat eye disease and see clearly. But there is much more we can do and I am delighted patient groups, GPs, public health and social services are working with us to improve the quality and efficiency of eye care.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]