UK NHS survey to improve eye services - return by 12 September 2014

[littlemermaid]

http://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/qu...ction/eye-cta/ Improving Eye Health and Reducing Sight Loss - A Call to Action

'A once in a generation opportunity to provide feedback to NHS England. Patients, professionals and the public are being invited to have their say, in this debate around the provision of eye health services.

We want to uncover areas of innovation, good practice and new ideas on delivery of eye health services including GOS [General Ophthalmic Services] Sight Tests and community (enhanced) pathways [for referral].

It is a chance to refine, redesign and refocus the eye health agenda and improve patient care.'

[cathy8889]

Hi little mermaid thanks for sharing. I think once I am better and have strength I will also write to them and a few charities to share what I have been through.

Cath

[nadz]

Thanks for posting LM.

I've done the survey and given some forthright feedback. I'd encourage every UK dry eye sufferer on this site to answer the survey too. It's a valuable opportunity to have our say and try to improve services.

[CharlieGreenEyes]

Another thanks for posting. I definitely intend to do the survey. Maybe it will help us all (I can but hope!).

[littlemermaid]

This survey is about providing all NHS eye services and access to eye specialists. http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNH...opticians.aspx. But there is also an email address for more feedback and suggestions (eg laser surgery, cosmetics like contact lenses, postcode lottery for disorder monitoring, meds, referrals, huge variation in national standards and access to treatment, what should be free/paid).

Unfortunately, in the NHS Constitution 1948 it was decided dentists and opticians should be Private contracted for some subsidised NHS service.

This is an opportunity to introduce better NHS eye checks and monitoring outside hospitals, hopefully without pressure-selling, random charging and standards of high street opticians which put people off seeking eye checks and help. Also to regulate and guarantee standards of practising optometrists. Ideally Optometrists are paid NHS to support and monitor hospital patients locally (PEARS scheme).

I want all GPs, A&E and Minor Injuries Unit to be competent in using at least a basic handheld ophthalmoscope (£70) and triaging eye conditions correctly and doing a basic neurological exam (http://www.rcpe.ac.uk/journal/issue/..._4/nicholl.pdf) including the eye.