President Ben Burton represented College members at an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Eye Health and Visual Impairment at Westminster on 15 November.
The event at the Houses of Parliament, which was chaired by Kate Osamor MP, saw the RNIB launch their report The Eye Care Support Pathway. The ensuing discussion centered around actions to improve patient support across their entire eye care journey, from an ophthalmology, optometry, rehabilitation and patient perspective.
Ben spoke to the audience of cross-party MPs about the need to improve patients’ experience after diagnosis of eye diseases. He also stressed the importance of integrated digital systems, including electronic patient record systems and electronic eye care referral systems interoperable between primary, community and secondary eye care, to ensure a smooth patient journey.
Other speakers at the event included Leon Davies, President of the College of Optometrists and Simon Labbett of the Professional Rehabilitation Network