31 May 2024

FODO sets out election plan

Thank you to all members who have continued to play an active role in our policy and public affairs work since we published The future of primary eye care last year. We will engage with prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) in the coming weeks and focus on the following:

• Fighting to end avoidable sight loss due to delays in accessing hospital eye care services
• The urgent need to rebalance priorities and investment from secondary to primary care services for the benefit of patients, the NHS and taxpayers
• The benefits of more effective, efficient and standardised IT connectivity between primary and secondary care
• The need to protect and advance primary ophthalmic services in England, which is far behind the rest of the UK.

We will also have more detailed discussions with senior politicians in all parties, government policymakers and some PPCs about the eye care workforce and innovation where we and our members lead on the sector's behalf.

Over the coming weeks, we will launch our eye care manifesto and new animations to promote the significant benefits of a comprehensive primary eye care service. We will also contact members in specific constituencies to help organise practice visits with PPCs and newly elected MPs. Members who wish to participate in our public affairs work can email [email protected].