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Eye Health
15 December 2022
Lead MP
Jim Shannon
Strangford
DUP
Responding Minister
Neil O'Brien
Tags
NHSEmploymentNorthern Ireland
Word Count: 9903
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Jim Shannon raised concerns about eye health in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Jim Shannon asks the government to develop a national plan for eye care in England to address the current capacity crisis, prevent avoidable sight loss, and ensure that patients can access the care they need at the right time and place. He also requests that NHS England continues its special schools eye care service beyond March 2023 after reviewing it thoroughly.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Over 2 million people in the United Kingdom are living with a condition that can cause sight loss, such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular disease or diabetic retinopathy. Some 340,000 people in the UK are registered as blind or partially sighted, and 50% of UK sight loss is thought to be preventable through early checks at opticians and GP surgeries. Jim Shannon highlights that over 641,000 people were waiting for specialist eye treatment in England by October 2022, with significant backlogs also evident across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. He mentions the impact of the pandemic on eye care services, leading to delays and a capacity crisis.
Marion Fellows
SNP
West Bromwich East
Emphasised the importance of regular eye tests, highlighting Scotland's free NHS-funded system which includes early detection and treatment. Described personal experience with cataracts and benefits from the service. Mentioned services for children under See4School programme and the impact of socioeconomic inequalities on health outcomes. Advocated for a national eye health strategy and supported the National Eye Health Strategy Bill.
Battersea
Ms Marsha de Cordova, in response to the Minister's remarks, called for a national strategy for eye health in England, advocating for joined-up care provision across the country to reduce avoidable sight loss and provide timely support and treatment. She invited the Minister to discuss her Bill on this matter.
Tooting
Ms Rosena Allin-Khan highlighted the increasing demand for eye care services, noting that more than 2 million people live with sight loss in the UK and this number is expected to reach 4 million by 2050. She expressed concern about long waiting lists for ophthalmology treatments, which have increased by over 130% since 2010, leaving tens of thousands of patients waiting longer than a year. Ms Allin-Khan also pointed out the shortage of eye doctors and reliance on non-medical staff to perform medical roles.
Government Response
Neil O'Brien
Government Response
The minister highlighted the government's commitment to addressing sight loss by funding free NHS sight tests for eligible individuals. He mentioned that over 2 million people in England live with sight loss, which is expected to double by 2050 due to an ageing population. The government funds sight tests and optical vouchers, investing more than £500 million annually. Diabetic retinopathy screening coverage has increased to over 80%, resulting in a 20% reduction in cases among working-age adults. The minister discussed efforts to recover from the pandemic's impact on eye care services, including setting ambitious targets for elective recovery and increasing capacity through surgical hubs and independent sector support. He also mentioned the appointment of a national clinical director for eye care and initiatives to integrate technology into community-based care. Additionally, he highlighted investments in workforce development and research, such as a £5 billion health-related research investment announced in 2021.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.