Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Currently there is no overarching strategy in England to govern eye care, despite fifty per cent of all sight loss being avoidable. A strategy could improve the quality of life for people who are blind or partially sighted and address health inequalities.
Does the Minister therefore agree that England needs its own national eye care strategy, which would include targets for the reduction of avoidable sight loss?
Given the size of England and the diversity of the health needs of different communities, we believe that commissioning should be locally led, so there are no current plans for a national eye health strategy. However, I am delighted that NHS England has appointed the first-ever national clinical director for eye care, Louisa Wickham, who will want to set priorities in this area.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about a national eye care strategy was deflected by highlighting local commissioning and mentioning an existing appointee without directly addressing the need for a strategy or committing to targets.
Local Commissioning
Mentioning Appointee
Response accuracy