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British patients encouraged to see optical specialists
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LONDON — People with recurring eye disorders may be encouraged to seek attention from their local optician rather than from a hospital in the future, according to plans announced by the United Kingdom’s Health Ministry.
The plans will “look at making best use of General Ophthalmic Services to increase patient choice and improve access to optical services,” a press release from the Department of Health said.
As an example, patients who have been referred to a hospital for ongoing checkups of an ocular disorder cold be referred to a local optician for monitoring, the release said.
Health Minister Rosie Winterton said the purpose behind the plans is to allow primary care trusts to contract optical services from a larger range of providers.