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The future has
already begun – Kathryn Trimmer “”
FODO Scotland chair, Optometry Scotland executive
see what it means member, and optometrist in NHS Grampian, Scotland
Where I work in NHS Grampian, we have a long history of
making the best use of the local eye care workforce and
Throughout the UK, FODO members are the leading primary eye infrastructure, helping provide all patients with access to
care providers. Each year our members provide over 18 million eye timely care close to home. As a result, primary care services
examinations and are already delivering enhanced eye care services here are some of the most advanced in the world.
to millions of people. Our success builds on the foundation of the national GOS
contract in Scotland, which provides comprehensive NHS-
We now want everybody in the UK to benefit from primary eye
care, ending the postcode lottery. funded primary eye care at the point of need and access to
additional diagnostic procedures.
We must, therefore, challenge the myths that there are legislative
or regulatory barriers preventing the change that patients need to In 2010, NHS Grampian went further by establishing
see at a national level. enhanced service contracts for anterior uveitis, marginal
keratitis, herpes simplex keratitis and foreign body removal.
We can do what we need to within the existing legal and This has enabled more patients to be seen more quickly
commissioning frameworks. Where changes would benefit and reduced GP and hospital visits.
patients, for example, tackling barriers to NHS eye care for
homeless people and people eligible for domiciliary care, the It works well and can be replicated across the UK, as
regulatory change required is easy to do. community optometrists all have the same core training,
qualifications and skills. We know the model works; we
Our members in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales know it can be done elsewhere. It is about spreading best
demonstrate models of primary eye care that have been shown to practice. FODO and its members will do more to make that
work and prove there is no need to delay transformation via pilots happen in the years ahead.
or proof of concept sites. This work has already been done –
now is the time to roll out best practice and to end unwarranted Read more
variation in access and outcomes for all patients.
Audiology Primary Eye Care
Pharmacy
GP Dentist
18 FODO UK The future of primary eye care – principles and priorities 19
