We are pleased to see that NHS England, along with the other nations, recognises the important role that optical practices play in providing services to patients. Following the letter we sent to the Minister for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care Jo Churchill MP on 1 April 2020, NHS England confirmed some financial support for contractors in England. We are now working with the Optical Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) to better understand the details of these measures and their implications for practices and our members, and will release a full statement on this as soon as possible.
Shahina Pardhan MCOptom was the first female Professor of Optometry in the UK and is active in the Women in Vision UK network. She speaks to Acuity about how her experience can help other women in research.