Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to increase the use of new technology in the delivery of optometry services.

Integrated care boards commission services in the National Health Service from high street optical practices, which are private businesses. Contractors will be expected to demonstrate they have the necessary equipment to be able to provide any contracted eye care services.

In delivering sight testing services, an ophthalmic practitioner is required to undertake any clinically necessary tests to determine if a patient has any signs of injury, disease or abnormality and to refer for any necessary further investigations. We do not stipulate the equipment or technology that should be used to make that determination.

As part of the 10-Year Health Plan’s shift from analogue to digital, we are reviewing how the NHS should focus its resources to ensure it maximises the impact of data and technology. This includes how we can make life easier and more productive for those who work in the NHS, and how we can use data more effectively to plan, manage and deliver services.