Page 8 - FODO-Strategy-Document-Full-2023
P. 8

Protecting and                                                                      Total number of sight tests provided each year

            advancing core primary


            eye care services

                                                                                                                                  Scotland
                                                                                                                                  1,596,000
            The UK starts from a strong position when planning to meet
            future eye health needs. Its strength derives from its world-                                                           Northern Ireland
            leading primary eye care sight testing and case-finding service.
            A core primary care service which is accessible, affordable, and                                                        680,000
            underpinned by patient choice which drives investment in quality
            care for all.                                                                                                            Wales
                                                                                                                                     1,148,000



            This sight testing service is the bedrock of the national eye                                                              England
            health service in all four UK nations and a major public and                                                               19,632,000
            population health achievement. This is why FODO remains
            committed to:

            •  Preserving patient           •  Calling on UK governments                                                              UK
              protections and choice         and health systems to                                                                                            3
              in legislation.                fund core primary eye care                                                               23,056,000
                                             services in a sustainable way.
            •  Protecting the national
              NHS sight testing service.    •  Minimising health
              Including retaining a          inequalities by enabling
              nationally commissioned        access to primary eye care
              demand-led service with        services for all. Including                        Detecting and referring eye conditions
              nationally negotiated fees     safeguarding patient
              and grants in each of the      benefits for children and the
              four UK nations to avoid       most financially vulnerable.                            The average        Evidence shows optometrist referral
                                                                                                                                                            5-6
              unnecessary variation                                                                  referral rate      accuracy following a sight test is good.
              and costs.                                                                           ranges between       Referral refinement following a sight test
                                                                                                                        can help further improve accuracy of
                                                                                                      3-5%    4-5       referrals, enabling more patients to be
                                                                                                                        managed in primary care. 7-9
                                                                                                                             Audiology
                                                                                                                  Pharmacy
                                                                                                      GP                                                         Dentist


      8      FODO UK                                                                                              The future of primary eye care – principles and priorities      9
   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13