Question reference: S5W-27998
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 18 March 2020
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Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 27 June 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that hospitals and GPs are referring an increased number of patients to optometrists for treatment during the COVID-19 outbreak, placing an increased financial burden on these private businesses.
Answer
Community optometry is the established first port of call for all eye problems in Scotland, and has the capacity to manage patients safely. Supported by a substantial package of financial support from the Scottish Government outlined in PCA(O)2020(4) , optometrists have managed the majority of patients remotely during Lockdown and Phase 1, with only a small number of patients needing to be referred to a designated Emergency Eyecare Treatment Centre to be seen in person.
As set out in PCA(O)2020(10) , the Scottish Government is continuing to provide financial support to community optometry practices during Phase 2, as practice premises resume providing face-to-face emergency and essential eye care to patients as well as continuing to manage as many patients remotely as possible.