FODO launches strategy to improve access to eye care
A new strategy released by FODO, the Association for Eye Care Providers, sets out the policy priorities it will pursue to achieve its mission of ensuring high-quality, accessible and sustainable primary eye care for all.
The strategy describes three high-level policy priorities:
- PROTECT patient access to core primary eye care services.
Sarah Joyce, FODO’s chair, said: “The national sight testing service is the jewel in the crown of primary health care, providing a high-quality service for patients and preventing sight loss. We continue to work alongside our sector partners as part of the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) in England to fight for fair and sustainable funding and to identify and respond to risks to the sight testing service. We want to protect access to primary eye care for the patients of today and for future generations.”
- SUPPORT the expansion of enhanced care services to meet patient needs.
David Hewlett, FODO’s director of policy and strategy said: “Enhanced eye care services in the community are not only highly valued by patients, they represent the UK government’s ‘left shift’ and the future for meeting growing eye care needs in the UK. However, in England, strategic commissioning is still in its infancy and enhanced primary eye care services are not available in all areas and, in some, are even at risk. We are committed to working towards a future where all patients can access enhanced primary eye care in the community, wherever they live.”
- ENABLE innovation, workforce and system reform to drive improvement.
Daro Bjayou, FODO policy officer, said: “We want to create an environment that minimises burdens on the sector, allows innovation to flourish and enables our members to deliver safe, ethical and high-quality patient care. Our work includes, for example, supporting our members through up-to-date guidance and influencing and responding to changes in policy and regulation to maximise opportunities and address any risks. We also want to make sure we have the workforce we need to meet demand. We will continue to invest in securing workforce supply through the FODO Educational Charity.”
The strategy provides a single page summary of FODO’s policy priorities for 2026 to 2030. It is intended to provide clarity for members, sector partners and stakeholders about the organisation’s strategic direction.
Read the policy priorities in full.
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Note for editors
FODO – the Association for Eye Care Providers, is the leading national association for eye care providers in the UK. Our members provide the majority of primary eye care, including over 18 million sight tests a year and a wide range of other NHS eye care services.