PM backs eye care campaign
Demands for eye care services will increase with an ageing population causing a “challenge” for the NHS, the Prime Minister has warned.
Backing a campaign calling for eye health to be made a priority in health and social care systems, David Cameron said that the only way the issue can be resolved is if services are improved across the UK.
“Any loss or impairment of vision can reduce a person’s quality of life substantially and demands for eye care services will increase as people live longer,” he said.
“This presents a challenge for the health and social care system which can only be overcome by improving the coordination and effectiveness of eye health and care services across the UK.”
Mr Cameron is backing the UK Vision Strategy, a five year plan devised by sight loss charities and eye health organisations to improve across the UK.
By 2050 the number of people with sight loss in the UK will double to nearly four million, said a spokeswoman for the initiative, which is led by the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Anita Lightstone, programme director for the UK Vision Strategy, said: “We are delighted to have the support of the Prime Minister and the Government.
“By health and social care professionals working together in an integrated way we can ensure sight loss is avoided where possible and blind and partially sighted people get the support they need to play a full part in society.”
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