ISSUES over eyecare provision for residents in Evesham and Broadway were on the agenda of a meeting between town optometrist and MP Nigel Huddleston.
The Mid Worcestershire MP met Worcestershire Local Optical Committee Clinical Governance lead Jim Osborne last Friday (February 9).
One of the issues discussed concerns the alleged failure of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) to make provision for eye emergency services at evenings and weekends in Worcestershire.
At present Evesham and Broadway residents with eye emergencies in the evening or at weekends have to travel to Birmingham for treatment.
Worcestershire Local Optical Committee (LOC) consider requiring patients to travel over an hour away with a poorly and uncomfortable eye is unacceptable.
During the visit, Mr Osborne was able to demonstrate some of the more advanced equipment optometrists use when visiting housebound patients.
This included a portable slit lamp bio-microscope for detailed observation of the front of the eye.
Mr Osborne said:
“Mr Huddleston was also impressed the LOC has funded many post-graduate education courses for local optometrists.
“These courses have supported the introduction of a number of NHS community optometry services within the area.
“Fortunately, following his slit-lamp examination, Nigel’s eyes were found to be most satisfactory.
Following the meeting, Mr Huddleston said he would raise the eye care service issues with the Chief Executive of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board.
“Hopefully with Mr Huddleston’s support the ICB will make some progress to provide a more convenient service for local residents,” Mr Osborne.
