RNIB response to the publication of the NHS 10 Year Plan

Vivienne Francis, RNIB’s Chief Strategy and Public Affairs Officer said:

“We welcome the ambition of the 10 Year Health Plan for England, particularly its focus on prevention, innovation, patient empowerment, and moving care closer to the heart of communities. If designed inclusively, these goals could significantly improve access to timely eye care and patient information.

In particular, we are delighted to see the priority given to tackling the ophthalmology waiting lists, and the move to delivering more eye care in the community, both of which we have campaigned for.

Today’s Plan comes at a critical time for eye care. People are waiting too long for appointments, risking avoidable and needless sight loss. We welcome the priority given to tackling the ophthalmology waiting lists and plans for digital healthcare tools, like the NHS App, to be fully accessible. Blind and partially sighted patients must have access to alternative formats like braille or large print through a single electronic record across health and social care.

RNIB is poised to support the delivery of the NHS plan through the implementation of the eyecare support pathway, which provides both practical and emotional advice and support, for people and their families at every stage of their sight loss journey.”

Notes to editors

• Those waiting for eye care currently make up around 8% of the overall NHS waiting list.
• RNIB’s Value of Vision report published last month sets out six key interventions to improve Eye Care. These are:
  - All primary eye care providers should have an NHS email address
  - Ensure all primary eye care providers have access to advice and guidance from secondary care to reduce unnecessary referrals
  - Streamline referrals through the creation of single points of access (SPoA)
  - Embed the eye care support pathway
  - Fully use the skillset of optometrists in primary care
  - Increased focus on tackling Do Not Attends (DNAs)