The Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare NÄE ry has submitted a proposal to the Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso to establish a working group. The working group would clarify how private optics stores can support wellbeing services counties in providing services to implement the care guarantee. “When it comes to eye healthcare, optics stores can significantly ease the work and cost burden of wellbeing services counties,” explains Panu Tast, managing director of NÄE ry.
At the present time there are significant delays in wellbeing services counties in access to care for eye diseases and the monitoring of eye diseases covered by the care guarantee. This problem has been ongoing for a long time. In addition, due to the aging population, basic public services are increasingly faced with situations where the tools and expertise are insufficient to properly assess the symptoms or the need for care. This often leads to patients being sent to ophthalmology outpatient clinics in wellbeing services counties.
“It is certain that there is no more expensive way for society and taxpayers to assess the need for care than to send the patient to the specialized medical care services of wellbeing services counties,” says Panu Tast, managing director of NÄE ry.
It is the opinion of NÄE ry that private optics stores with a nationwide network, which have optometrist and ophthalmologist offices and eye examination laboratories, should be integrated as part of the service production of wellbeing services counties. By acting in this way, it would be possible to implement the symptomatic care of eye diseases in the aging population, as well as a timely diagnosis and care of diseases within the limits defined by the care guarantee, with existing resources and at a lower cost than at present.
“The cost-effectiveness of optics stores in terms of service production is excellent, because, for decades, optics stores have been producing services according to market conditions. The same research equipment is used both for the optics trade and for the production of healthcare services,” says Tast.
The proposal submitted to Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso today opens the door to solutions that scarce resources require in order to ensure a better service for hundreds of thousands of eye disease patients.
“As the finances of wellbeing services counties continue to tighten, new solutions are needed to provide services. In terms of eye healthcare, optics stores can significantly ease the work and cost burden of wellbeing services counties,” concludes Tast.
According to NÄE ry, the proposed working group could be established at the beginning of 2024.
Additional information:
Panu Tast, managing director, Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare NÄE ry +358 40 542 2227, panu.tast@naery.fi
