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Ophthalmology: West Dorset

Asked by Edward MorelloLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 9 June 2025UIN 55628

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking increase the number of optometrists in West Dorset.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

NHS England provides an annual grant for supervisors of optometry trainees. This payment is an essential element of ensuring adequate training provision is available for new optometrists.

Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning primary and secondary eye care services and receive an annual allocation of funding to secure services to meet the needs of their local population. Any decisions about the recruitment of optometrists are a matter for individual employers.

We will publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

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