Page 27 - FODO-Strategy-Document-Full-2023

Maximising the positive Integrated IT

impact of innovation and Integrating care is recognised globally as one of the most
important and effective ways of securing improvements to the
technology for patients health and care of populations. For example, the WHO World
report on Vision recommends making eye care an integral part of
universal health coverage and creating integrated people-centred
eye care within health systems. 25

Innovation Although our primary eye care system is world-leading and has
existed since the NHS was founded, it remains insufficiently wired to
Primary eye care providers have always invested in new NHS GPs and eye hospital departments. This lack of IT connectivity
technologies, including retinal cameras and OCT scanners, to means patients and the wider NHS are prevented from utilising the
improve care for their patients. full benefits of primary eye care expertise and infrastructure.
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.
Efficient IT connectivity will help:
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 • Reduce referrals to • Streamline and improve the
and treatment, including referral refinement, improved patient secondary care. quality and experience of
management and less repeat tests. • Reduce the need and cost care for patients.
associated with repeat
Investing in innovative and evolving technologies will also continue diagnostic tests.
to deliver new opportunities for the benefit of patients, the NHS and
taxpayers. UK health systems must work with primary eye care to meet That is why FODO strongly supports and will work with
growing needs and prevent avoidable sight loss. sector partners to achieve frictionless interconnectivity
between primary and secondary eye care services and
GPs – including tackling resource-wasting double entry
FODO, through ongoing support for the Foresight Project, by using co-produced APIs.
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 The future of primary eye care – principles and priorities 27