Scotland update: building on success in community eye care

With a long history of transforming eye care, Scotland has also been recognised as a leader in community eye care, with free NHS-funded eye examinations available to people of all ages since 2006. This month, we have worked with partners, policymakers and parliamentarians to ensure that community optometry remains central in delivering accessible, high-quality eye care across the country. 

In August, we attended the virtual Five Nations meeting, hosted by Optometry Scotland. The meeting brought together organisations from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland to discuss shared priorities for optometry and eye care. 

We are grateful to Optometry Scotland for hosting the meeting and to colleagues from across the sector for contributing to constructive and forward-looking discussions.

This year marks 20 years since Scotland introduced free NHS-funded eye examinations for people of all ages. Our President, Professor Irene Ctori FCOptom, and Deputy Director of Communications, Stuart Slavicky, attended Optometry Scotland's celebrations alongside colleagues from across the sector, policymakers and parliamentarians. 

The event highlighted the significant contribution community optometrists have made to improve access to eye care over the past two decades, and provided an opportunity to reflect on the success of the GOS model. It also reinforced the important role community optometry continues to play in delivering high-quality care closer to home. 

Our Manifesto for Scotland: Building on Success, which was published in March this year, calls on the Scottish Government to take further steps to prevent avoidable sight loss and improve access to care.  

The manifesto sets out four priorities: 

• expanding community eye care services
• investing in the optometry workforce
• improving digital connectivity
• addressing inequalities in access to eye care.

These priorities are especially important as demand for eye care services continues to grow. With almost 60,000 people waiting for a first ophthalmology outpatient appointment in Scotland, expanding optometry-led care within local communities can help more patients receive timely care closer to home. 

Our manifesto highlights how community optometry can continue to support Scotland's healthcare system while improving experiences and outcomes for patients. 

Following the launch of the manifesto, we met with MSPs from across the political spectrum at the Scottish Parliament, including Alison Thewliss, Minister for Community Care (pictured), to discuss the future of community eye care in Scotland. 

Our conversations focused on our manifesto's key priorities, including further developing community eye care services, supporting a sustainable workforce, improving digital connectivity and reducing inequalities in access to care. These discussions also highlighted the challenges facing rural, Highland and island communities, where access to healthcare services can be more difficult.

We look forward to continuing these conversations with policymakers and partners as we work to build on Scotland's success and support the future of community eye care.