Thompson & Hardwick Meet Andrew Snowden MP to Discuss the Future of Independent Community Eyecare in Fylde

This week we were pleased to meet with Andrew Snowden MP to discuss the future of independent community eyecare, NHS eye care services and the importance of protecting patient choice across Fylde and the Fylde Coast.

As independent opticians in Lytham St Annes, we are passionate about delivering accessible, high-quality healthcare within the local community. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to discuss both the growing role of community optometrists and the increasing pressures currently facing independent healthcare providers throughout the UK.

Community optometry has changed dramatically over recent years. Modern independent opticians are now providing far more than routine sight tests and glasses dispensing. Today, practices like Thompson & Hardwick Optometrists are helping deliver frontline NHS eyecare services that support both patients and the wider healthcare system, through services like the CUES emergency eye care scheme.

The Growing Role of Community Eyecare

Many people are surprised to learn how much modern community optometry now manages outside of hospitals. Independent optometrists regularly diagnose, monitor and manage a wide range of complex eye conditions within the community setting.

At Thompson & Hardwick Optometrists, we provide advanced eye examinations using state-of-the-art imaging technology including OCT retinal scanning, specialist contact lens services, urgent eye assessments, dry eye management and myopia management for children.

Increasingly, community optometrists are helping reduce pressure on both GPs and busy hospital ophthalmology departments by safely managing patients closer to home.

This benefits patients enormously by:

• Reducing waiting times

• Improving local access to care

• Helping avoid unnecessary hospital visits

• Providing continuity with familiar clinicians

• Allowing earlier detection of sight-threatening disease

  
  

Independent opticians now play a crucial role in protecting sight and supporting NHS services across communities such as Lytham St Annes and the wider Fylde Coast.

Your can learn more about our services here.

Why Independent Opticians Matter

One of the most important themes discussed during the meeting was the value that independent healthcare providers bring to local communities.

Independent opticians often provide a level of continuity and personalised care that patients greatly value. Many patients have attended the same local practice for years, sometimes across multiple generations of families. That continuity matters.

Patients frequently tell us how reassuring it is to see familiar clinicians who understand their ocular history, lifestyle needs and long-term health concerns. This is especially important for elderly patients, vulnerable individuals and patients with complex eye conditions who may require ongoing monitoring and support.

Independent practices are also deeply rooted within their local communities. Unlike some larger national organisations, local independent healthcare providers:

• Employ local people

• Reinvest within the community

• Support local economies and high streets

• Build long-standing trusted relationships

• Provide flexible and personalised patient care

  
  

Healthcare works best when patients have genuine choice about where they receive their care.

Challenges Facing NHS Community Eyecare

Another key topic discussed with Andrew Snowden MP was the growing pressure facing NHS community eyecare services.

The demand for eyecare continues to rise rapidly due to:

• An ageing population

• Increasing screen use

• Growing rates of myopia in children

• Greater awareness of eye health

• Improved diagnostic capability

  
  

At the same time, independent healthcare providers are facing increasing operational costs, staffing pressures and significant financial challenges.

The current NHS sight test fee remains significantly below the true cost of delivering a modern comprehensive eye examination when equipment, staffing, compliance requirements, professional indemnity, premises and ongoing training are all taken into account.

Despite this, independent practices, including Thompson & Hardwick Optometrists, continue investing heavily in:

• Advanced diagnostic technology

• Clinical training

• Patient safety systems

• Modern facilities

• Enhanced community healthcare services

  
  

Many independent opticians are effectively subsidising aspects of frontline NHS eyecare while continuing to provide accessible local services for their communities.

We also discussed the impact of delayed NHS payments and administrative pressures on smaller healthcare providers. Unlike large national corporations, independent practices often have far less financial resilience despite delivering highly specialised clinical care.

Protecting Patient Choice in Healthcare

A particularly important area of discussion was the need to protect patient choice within healthcare.

There is understandable concern across many independent healthcare sectors that increasing centralisation and large-scale commissioning models may gradually reduce opportunities for patients to access care from local independent providers.

While efficiency and standardisation are important within healthcare systems, it is equally important that local healthcare ecosystems remain diverse, resilient and patient-focused.

Independent opticians are not opposed to larger organisations existing within the sector. However, there is concern that increasingly centralised commissioning structures could unintentionally disadvantage smaller community-based providers despite the vital role they play within local healthcare delivery.

Patients benefit when healthcare systems encourage:

• Innovation

• Diversity of provision

• Community accessibility

• Competition based on quality

• Continuity of care

• Local expertise

  
  

Protecting patient choice means ensuring patients continue to have access to trusted local providers alongside larger national organisations.

The Importance of Preventative Eye Care

Another important part of the discussion centred around the growing importance of preventative healthcare.

Routine eye examinations are about far more than updating glasses prescriptions. Modern eye examinations can detect early signs of:

• Glaucoma

• Macular degeneration

• Diabetic eye disease

• Retinal abnormalities

• Hypertension

• Certain neurological conditions

  
  

Advanced retinal imaging technology now allows community optometrists to identify potential issues earlier than ever before, often before patients become symptomatic.

Early detection is critically important in protecting long-term vision and reducing future healthcare burden.

Investment in community eyecare therefore represents not only an investment in sight preservation but also in preventative healthcare more broadly.

Supporting Local Healthcare Providers

Independent healthcare businesses remain an important part of the local economy across Fylde and Lancashire.

Practices such as Thompson & Hardwick Optometrists have spent many years building trusted reputations within their communities while continually adapting to advances in technology and patient care.

As healthcare continues evolving, it is important that independent community providers continue to have a voice in shaping the future of local healthcare services.

We were encouraged that Andrew Snowden MP appeared genuinely engaged with the issues discussed and understood the importance of balancing efficiency, patient access and support for local healthcare businesses.

It was refreshing to have a constructive and thoughtful conversation focused not only on healthcare delivery but also on the wider importance of maintaining strong local healthcare infrastructure and preserving patient choice.

Looking Towards the Future Including the Proposed Over 70s Mandatory Eye Examinations

The future of healthcare is likely to involve increasing collaboration between hospitals, GPs and community healthcare providers. Independent optometrists are exceptionally well placed to play an even greater role within this evolving system.

By continuing to invest in technology, clinical expertise and patient-centred care, community optometrists can help provide accessible frontline services while supporting wider NHS capacity.

At Thompson & Hardwick Optometrists, we remain committed to delivering advanced eyecare services, investing in innovation and providing exceptional patient care to the communities of Lytham St Annes and the Fylde Coast.

An additional topic discussed during the meeting was the growing conversation around potential compulsory eyesight assessments for drivers over the age of 70.

Road safety is, of course, extremely important and regular eyesight checks undoubtedly play a vital role in helping ensure drivers remain visually fit to drive safely. As eye care professionals, we fully support initiatives that encourage better awareness of vision standards and earlier detection of sight-related driving concerns.

However, an important part of the discussion centred around ensuring that any future system continues to protect patient choice and fair access to local healthcare providers.

There is understandable concern within the independent healthcare sector that any nationally commissioned mandatory eyesight testing pathway could become increasingly centralised towards a single large corporate provider model. Many local independent optometrists already possess the clinical expertise, equipment and infrastructure required to deliver high-quality driving vision assessments safely and effectively within their communities.

Patients across Fylde, Lytham St Annes and the wider Lancashire area should continue to have the freedom to choose where they receive their care rather than being directed exclusively towards one national provider.

Protecting patient choice ensures that healthcare remains local, accessible and centred around what is best for patients rather than purely administrative convenience.

The purpose of raising this issue with Andrew Snowden MP was not to oppose improvements in road safety or eyesight awareness, but rather to ensure that independent community healthcare providers continue to have a fair opportunity to participate in future pathways and that patients retain genuine choice over where they attend for any future driving-related eye examinations.

As discussions around future healthcare and transport policy continue nationally, it is essential that the voices of local community healthcare providers and the patients they serve remain part of the conversation.

To learn more about our services or book an appointment, please visit: https://www.tandhopt.co.uk

Useful external resources:

• NHS eye care services: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/

• General Optical Council: https://www.optical.org/

• College of Optometrists: https://www.college-optometrists.org/

• Government Drivers 070's sight test proposal: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers