PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
GENERAL OPHTHALMIC SERVICES (7 December 2005)

That this House believes that proposed changes to devolve the commissioning and funding of General Ophthalmic Services contained within the Health Bill from national level to primary care trusts (PCTs) will fundamentally shift ophthalmic services from needs-based funding to budget-driven planning and damage the provision of eye care in England; notes that competition between practices has kept clinical standards high and prices fair, and that PCTs may limit the number of practices which continue to provide NHS services; further believes that these changes could result in restrictions in patient choice, waiting lists and a postcode lottery in eye care; and calls on the Government to recognise the crucial work of optometrists and opticians in providing eye care for all by maintaining the current, successful arrangement.

Sponsored by:
Mr Mark Oaten (Liberal Democrat)