Lucy Miller

Providing eye care to refugees from Syria and Gaza Locum optometrist, Hammad Mansoor, led a multidisciplinary group of clinicians to volunteer in Jordanian refugee camps in January

Great article written by @lucymiller.bsky.social on providing eye care to #refugees from #Syria and #Gaza www.aop.org.uk/ot/news/2025... Proud to call Hammad Mansoor a friend. #Optometry #EyeHealth

That’s all for now – I’m always keen to chat about the subjects mentioned, but also about Love Island, about Europe’s best second cities, about epic train journeys, about how we need more lidos... *fin*

“The relationship with optometry, for us in secondary care, is really important” Christiana Dinah, consultant ophthalmologist in north west London, spoke to OT at 100% Optical about the vital relationship between optometry and ophthalmology

The relationship between primary and secondary care, particularly in relation to NHS waiting lists and how they can be reduced, is also something I always have my eye on:

RNIB calls to end the ‘scandal’ that means blind people can’t vote in secret Only 13% of blind people felt they could vote independently in the 2019 general election despite secret voting being the law for 150 years, the charity said

The blockers to blind and partially sighted people being able to vote independently are a bit of a shocker, honestly:

Thousands denied support after sight loss diagnosis Delays in access to vision rehabilitation have caused a “hidden social care scandal,” RNIB says

Inclusivity for those with sight loss, particularly when it comes to getting them the support they need to live full lives, is an ongoing theme:

AOP hosts optometrist roundtable with MP Marsha de Cordova More effective referrals and the need for myopia management funding were up for discussion when MP Marsha de Cordova met eye care practitioners in her constituency

Externally to parliament, I’m sometimes interviewing or hosting events with MPs who are vocal about eyecare, such as Battersea's Marsha de Cordova:

“It is our job to represent the interests of the millions of people whose sight is potentially at risk” Leaders from three charities talk to OT about their work on <em>The Eyes Have It</em> partnership, and how the group is pushing for systematic change in eye health

You’ll also occasionally find me in Parliament, covering events around eye healthcare (such as Westminster Eye Health Day)

Establishing an out of hours homeless service in Bristol Specsavers Bristol Merchant Street was the first practice to trial an out-of-hours homeless clinic that is now being piloted at 44 locations. OT found out more from contact lens partner, Sarah Mcgowan...

I’ve also been thinking about healthcare inclusivity for those experiencing/with experience of homelessness:

“A generation of children have missed out” Uncertainty over service specification and fees is causing concern amongst those delivering the Special Schools Eye Care Service

Work-wise, recently I’ve been covering the threat to the Special Schools Eyecare Service – which is invaluable in getting kids with learning disabilities the support they need to learn. Long-term spec from NHS England still TBC
www.aop.org.uk/ot/professio...

A male ginger cat with white front legs (Ptolemy) is sprawling on a blue and gold striped blanket with his eyes closed because he is extremely lazy

A male tabby kitten (Xerxes) is sitting like a sphinx on a grey sofa and looking up at the camera in surprise (he is not yet big enough for his ears)

When I’m not doing that, it’s mainly about these two:

Hello 👋 as we're (mostly) all new here, I thought I'd do a little introduction and share a bit of recent work. You'll mainly find me writing about small business and/or widening access to healthcare, keeping a close eye on UK and US politics, and fuming about the end of Roe v Wade 🙅‍♀️