Faster Access and More Choice for Cataract Patients, UK

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 02 Feb 2005 - 16:00 PST

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Long waits for NHS cataract operations have ended following a £73 million drive to speed up access for the procedure, Health Secretary John Reid announced today.

The Department of Health said that by the end of January 2005 there was no one waiting more than three months for their first cataract operation. Most cataract patients can now expect to be treated within six weeks.

The achievement of a maximum three-month wait for cataract operations is four years ahead of the NHS Plan target.

Alongside extra operations in the NHS, independent sector treatment centres have been providing more than 13,000 additional cataract operations. The independent sector treatment centre programme includes two ophthalmology mobile units operating throughout England, and a fixed site in Daventry.

Mr Reid also said that, for the first time, all cataract patients will have a choice of providers when they are told they need an operation. By December 2005, the choice will be extended to four or five providers.

He said:

"This is a tremendous achievement for the NHS. Ophthalmologists and nurses are making a profound difference to thousands of patients' lives. When we began to tackle this issue, at least 50,000 elderly patients were waiting more than three months for cataract treatment. Now, no one is waiting that long.

"Independent sector treatment centres have also played an important part in driving down waiting times. Recent research has shown that independent sector treatment centres are performing operations at eight times the rate of the NHS due to the modern, purpose-built units concentrating on single procedures.

"We are committed to extending choice because patients increasingly want it. Giving all cataract patients the choice of at least two providers is an important milestone in this whole process. By the end of this year, all patients will be offered the choice of at least four alternative providers for their operations."

Mr Reid also paid tribute to the close co-operation and support from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, which he said had helped to make the initiative possible. The new way of working gives ophthalmologists the power to make direct referral to hospital as part of the diagnosis, so the patient gets to choose which hospital, plus choose date and time of appointment at their first appointment.

Harry Cayton, National Director for Patients, said:

"Speeding up cataract operations creates real choice for people. To be able to see again is a huge improvement to health and quality of life. Patient choice is no gimmick, it changes people's lives, gives them control and improves the responsiveness of the NHS."

Anita Lightstone, head of low vision and eye health at the Royal National Institute for the Blind, said:

"The RNIB is delighted that waiting times for cataract operations have been significantly reduced and congratulate the NHS on this achievement. For the thousands of people with cataracts, this will mean that they no longer have to manage with poor sight for long periods of time. We applaud the investment that has been made to achieve this and look to equal investment being made in other areas of eye care, such as glaucoma treatment, AMD and Low Vision."

By the age of 75, a quarter of all people will have developed a cataract. The condition causes impaired vision and if left untreated, can result in blindness. Many sufferers of cataracts - otherwise healthy individuals - are further affected by the condition because of the impact it has on their lifestyle, such as the inability to read or drive.

Modern cataract surgery is a highly successful day case procedure. Patients are free to go home usually within an hour of leaving the operating theatre.

Notes to editors:

1) £73 million was allocated for reducing cataract waiting times to 3 months. The Department of Health is also working to improve services for patients with chronic eye diseases. On top of the £73 million for cataracts, £4 million has also been provided for pilot projects to improve the care of patients with glaucoma, low vision and age-related macular degeneration.

2) For media enquiries only please contact the Department of Health press office on 020 7210 5301 or 020 7210 5010.

GNNREF: 110196
Issued by : DOH Press Office