A Northallerton store director has attended a parliamentary reception in a bid to raise awareness for the eye health sector and improve access to care.
Ross Campbell, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Northallerton, teamed up colleagues as they held a reception earlier this month at the House of Commons.
The event was hosted by MP for Battersea, Marsha De Cordova, who is calling for an integrated National Eye Health Strategy in England.
Ross said: “Caring for our community goes beyond clear vision; it encompasses a commitment to the well-being of every individual.
“Specsavers is dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of eye health for those experiencing homelessness and we recognise the profound impact that access to quality eye care can have.
“By championing this cause, we strive to illuminate a brighter future for those experiencing homelessness, ensuring every person has access to eye care.”
The three key policy changes Specsavers is calling for include, ensuring people experiencing homelessness are eligible for an NHS-funded sight test and glasses, an NHS domiciliary service when attending a day centre or when staying in a shelter or hostel and without the 48-hour pre-visit notification requirement, which is a barrier in England, and free replacement NHS glasses if broken, lost or stolen due to their homelessness.
During the event, Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers and Patron for Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP), underscored the importance of collaborative efforts within the eye health sector, expressing her passion for breaking down barriers and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to essential eye care services.
“What we’re striving to do is improve access to care for everyone.
“We need to remove barriers to make it easier for people experiencing homelessness to get their eye care.”
Mary continued: “It was important for the eye health sector to come together to improve care to people experiencing homelessness, highlighting Specsavers’ work with charities such as VCHP, Crisis and the Big Issue.”
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