Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

NHS Backlogs: Eye Healthcare

Tuesday 7 March 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The number of patients waiting for ophthalmology treatment has increased by 41% in the last three years, affecting over 630,000 people.
  • The elective recovery plan aims to tackle NHS backlogs, including in eye care, with 92 community diagnostic centres operational.
  • The Government is investing an extra 8 billion in elective recovery, with ophthalmology 52-week waits reducing from 42,000 to just under 27,000.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
NHS
Context

The number of patients waiting for ophthalmology treatment has increased by 41% in the last three years, affecting over 630,000 people. Waiting times have substantially increased and fewer patients are starting treatment within 18 weeks.

Question

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of NHS backlogs on eye healthcare? The number of patients waiting for ophthalmology treatment has increased by 41% in the last three years, affecting over 630,000 people. Waiting times have substantially increased and fewer patients are starting treatment within 18 weeks.

Answer from Neil O'Brien

The elective recovery plan sets out how we are tackling backlogs, including in eye care. We have over 4,900 more doctors and 11,000 more nurses than last year, with 92 community diagnostic centres operational and 89 surgical hubs. Two-year waits have been virtually eliminated, aiming to eliminate 18-month waits by April.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about backing a Bill was not addressed.

How: Paid Tribute To The Hon. Lady'S Passion For This Subject

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Q2 Marsha de Cordova Lab Battersea
NHS
Context

The number of patients waiting for ophthalmology treatment has increased by 41% in the last three years, affecting over 630,000 people. Waiting times have substantially increased and fewer patients are starting treatment within 18 weeks.

Question

We need a plan to tackle the eye care crisis in the NHS. Will the Minister back my plan for a Bill?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

This is exactly why we are investing the extra £8 billion in elective recovery. Ophthalmology 52-week waits are coming down from 42,000 to just under 27,000.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about backing a Bill was not addressed.

How: Paid Tribute To The Hon. Lady'S Work On This Matter

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Q3 James Wild Con North West Norfolk
NHS
Context

The new West Norfolk eye centre enables an extra 2,000 appointments and 2,000 more injections every year to deal with backlogs.

Question

Does the new West Norfolk eye centre demonstrate the importance of adding the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to the Government's new hospitals building programme?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

The Secretary of State will have taken note of my hon. Friend's representations.

Not addressed: The specific ask about adding the hospital was not addressed.

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