 Local MP Nicky Morgan elected as Vice-Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment and has been determined to use her experiences at Loughborough RNIB College and local optometrist to encourage the Government to improve this aspect of the health agenda
Having campaigned passionately to raise awareness of eye health and the difficulties faced by those with visual impairments in the Loughborough constituency, Nicky is determined to use her position as Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment to educate parliamentarians about eye health, sight loss and issues affecting blind and partially sighted people. “I have gained considerable knowledge of the difficulties faced by those who suffer from poor eye health and visual impairment or work in this industry, through my visits to Loughborough RNIB College and David Austen Optometrists, and I am determined to ensure that this aspect of health policy is pushed much further up the parliamentary agenda”, said Nicky.
As a member of the APPG on Eye Health and Visual Impairment, Nicky will be working alongside Co-Chairmen, John Baron MP and Lord Low of Dalston, to champion the rights of blind and partially sighted people in parliament, and to raise awareness of the importance of regular eye examinations for good eye health and the prevention of avoidable sight loss. With strong support from a large group of observers from across the optical, ophthalmic and sight loss sectors, the group provides parliamentarians with up to date oral and written briefings on key issues. Loughborough based optometrist, David Austen, has provided Nicky with a detailed explanation of the eye care industry, revealing his belief that the new Government must review policy which surrounds this industry. “The importance of eye care has not previously been taken seriously enough by decision makers. I am delighted that, like me, Nicky believes that this aspect of public health should receive more parliamentary representation and I look forward the improvements that the Coalition Government will introduce to this aspect of health policy”, said David Austen.
Head of Campaigns at RNIB, Steve Winyard, said "We are delighted that Nicky has taken on this role. She has already been a great champion of blind and partially sighted people, meeting students at RNIB College Loughborough and working to ensure that future government training programmes meet their needs. We and our colleagues from across the eye health and visual impairment sectors, look forward to working with Nicky and the Group to raise the profile of eye health and sight loss issues on the parliamentary agenda."
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20th July 2010 |
