Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending eye care liaison officer provision to provide (a) emotional support and (b) practical advice for newly diagnosed individuals.

The Government recognises the profound impact that sight loss can have on a person’s life and the important and valuable role that Eye Clinic Liaison Officers can play in supporting patients at the point of diagnosis. Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning all secondary care ophthalmology services, with decisions made locally on the configuration and provision of such services.