OFNC joins primary care drop-in event

Max Halford (left) and Dr Peter Hampson with Jess Brown-Fuller MP

The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) represented by Dr Peter Hampson of the Association of Optometrists, and ABDO clinical lead Max Halford, joined the British Dental Association, British Medical Association, Community Pharmacy England and the Association for Primary Care Audiology Providers, to host a Future of Primary Care drop-in event in parliament this week (28 January).

Forty MPs attended the event, sponsored by pharmacy APPG chair Steve Race MP, to hear about the services provided by all five primary care sectors – as well as the ‘key asks to government’ that “will ensure a long-term sustainable future for primary care in the NHS”.

The five key asks of government are:

• Make primary care central to the NHS 10-year plan
• Increase the share of NHS funding allocated to primary care in the spending review
• Use the existing primary care network to deliver more services
• Improve the digital link-up between primary care providers by granting read-write access to patient records for all primary care professionals
• Allow primary care representatives to have a bigger role in co-designing future healthcare delivery

Discussing the value primary care provides

Dr Hampson commented: “We were pleased to meet with so many MPs at the event to discuss the value that primary care provides. We know that a fully resourced primary care system reduces hospital admissions, cuts waiting lists and ensures patients get the care they need, faster and closer to home.

“High Street optical practices are a fantastic example of this, with the readiness to deliver much more in the community and support the prevention of ill health.”

Max Halford added: “With the vast majority of patients seeing someone in primary care as their first interaction with the NHS, the sector has a vital role in delivering on the Government’s ambitions.

“We’ve seen the government’s recognition for the invaluable contribution that eyecare and primary care in the community already makes. We hope that this wider show of support in parliament signals a clear path of action that rebalances our health care system, building the services that can deliver for patients.”

Many MPs also chose to sign a cross-party joint letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which urged the government to work closely with the primary care bodies to “begin the long-term process to rebuild primary care and help deliver on the government’s priorities”.