Page 26 - FODO Strategy 2023

Maximising the positive

impact of innovation and

technology for patients

Innovation

Primary eye care providers have always invested in new
technologies, including retinal cameras and OCT scanners, to
improve care for their patients.
Today primary eye care has the infrastructure to help the NHS detect
and better manage sight-threatening eye conditions such as glaucoma,
macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease.

The NHS is yet to take full advantage of this world class infrastructure.
When it does every NHS patient will benefit by way of early diagnosis
and treatment, including referral refinement, improved patient
management and less repeat tests.

Investing in innovative and evolving technologies will also continue
to deliver new opportunities for the benefit of patients, the NHS and
taxpayers. UK health systems must work with primary eye care to meet
growing needs and prevent avoidable sight loss.

FODO, through ongoing support for the Foresight Project,
and as a strong advocate for evidenced-backed innovation in
healthcare, will continue to:
• Support the use, uptake and • Work with members on areas
funding of evidence-based such as artificial intelligence
technologies for the benefit and machine learning in
of patients. This includes medical devices, and remote
NHS funding for OCT scans care, to ensure the benefits of
for patients, based on clinical such innovations also flow to Audiology Primary Eye Care
need, not ability to pay. eye care patients.
Pharmacy
GP Dentist

26 FODO UK