NHS cut back on routine cataract operations

A recent article published by the Association of Optometrists (AoP) has found that hospitals across the UK have been instructed by NHS England to defer all non-urgent surgical operations.

NHS England has confirmed that tens of thousands of routine operations, such as cataract surgery and hip and knee replacements have been postponed in order to ease the strain that some NHS trusts are facing this winter.

Statistics show that there were as many as 401,325 patients waiting to receive treatment from an NHS ophthalmology department in October 2017. This is firm evidence that the NHS is finding it increasingly difficult to deal with the number of patients in need of an eye operation.

Many of the patients who started treatment in October, claimed that they had waited over three months to begin treatment, whilst one in twenty had waited more than seven months.

Responding to the NHS’s decision to cancel non-urgent surgical operations, President of the Society for Acute Medicine Dr Scriven, highlighted his belief that the deferral of non-urgent operation would last longer than first anticipated.

Commenting he said “Whilst there are positives of this decision, mainly to relieve the pressures on an already stressed system, the negatives are that the decision has been made without much more actual stress on the system, in comparison to previous years. Quite as to why the decision has been made now, remains an anomaly. One thing that remains clear however is that the deferral of all non-surgical operation will need to be pushed back until end of February at the very least.”

Explaining the circumstances the NHS trusts faced, Dr Scriven said that before Christmas, 98% of hospitals in the UK were already full despite the allocation of 3000 extra beds.

Lesley Cree, owner of Lesley Cree Opticians said that she understood why the NHS has been forced to take such drastic measures but added the she wanted people to understand the great deal of distress this would cause the patients involved.

“Whilst delaying cataract surgery rarely has any serious implications, there will be still be a massive impact on the quality of life patients suffering with cataracts will be forced to deal with. Everyday tasks such as driving or going to the shops will be a struggle.”

Adding she said, “It’s important that cancelling operations doesn’t become the default position for managing pressures faced in the NHS – this latest action just further demonstrates why sustainable funding and resource is desperately needed.”

If you are concerned with your eyesight and want to have a consultation with your local optometrist, please visit the practice to make an appointment or call to speak to one of our staff members on 0115 933 2999.