Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many new training places there will be for ophthalmologists as part of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
As part of the historic expansion of medical school places set out in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, we will ensure that there is adequate growth in foundation placement capacity, as those taking up these new places begin to graduate, and a commensurate increase in specialty training places is required. A decision regarding which specialities these places will be allocated to will be made nearer the time that the places are required for the expanded workforce. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure this growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.
In 2023, the General Medical Council reported that there are 592 doctors in ophthalmology specialty training across England, which is 34, or 6.1%, more than in 2019. As of November 2023, there are 3,058 full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of ophthalmology in National Health Service trusts and other core organisations in England. This is 214, or 7.5%, more than in 2019. This includes 1,465 FTE consultants, which is 125, or 9.4%, more than in 2019.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the priority areas of research are under the five year grant made to NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre for vision research innovation in 2022.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The National Institute for Health and Care Research’s (NIHR) Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is a partnership between Moorfields-Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and University College London’s Institute of Ophthalmology, dedicated to pioneering discovery to transform the lives of patients facing sight loss. The BRC has five research themes:
- vascular disease and inflammation;
- genomic discovery and therapeutics;
- regenerative therapies, lasers, and medical devices;
- translational data science; and
- imaging, visual assessment, and digital innovation.
The BRC’s themes bridge biological sciences, health data, and translational science. Their aim is to change lives across the United Kingdom and the world by preserving sight and driving equity through innovation, particularly for those with the greatest need.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department has plans to upskill non-clinical eye health staff as part of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The department has an existing programme addressing the upskilling of this workforce. Ophthalmic Practitioner Training is a training programme for hospital-based ophthalmic nurses, optometrists, and orthoptists who wish to develop skills in one or more of four sub-specialty areas: medical retina; glaucoma; cataract; and emergency ophthalmology. The programme is a collaboration between the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the Royal College of Nursing, the College of Optometrists, and the British and Irish Orthoptic Society. It offers a standardised and supportive platform for these healthcare professionals to learn new clinical skills, for the benefit of their patients. The programme trains postgraduate orthoptists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses, and other eye care practitioners in secondary care, to develop their skills in eye care.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason the eligibility criteria for NHS sight tests does not include people with learning disabilities within the classification of groups at high risk of eye disease.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning National Health Service sight testing services to meet the local need, which could include commissioning adapted sight testing services to meet the needs of adults with learning disabilities. People over the age of 14 years old with a learning disability are entitled to a general practice led annual health check, to maintain their health. This can help identify undetected health conditions early, including problems with vision.
All children under the age of 16 years old, and those under the age of 19 years old in full time education, as well as adults aged 60 years old or over, are entitled to an NHS sight test. Those on a low income, and defined categories of people at particular risk of developing eye disease are also entitled to free tests. Sight tests will also be made available to all children attending special day and residential schools during 2024/25.
For adults, although having a learning disability does not provide exemption grounds, we would expect those with severe learning disabilities would meet the eligibility criteria in other ways. We therefore do not believe there is a need to extend eligibility further.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to reduce inequalities in eye care for adults with learning disabilities.
Answered by Andrea Leadsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning National Health Service sight testing services to meet the local need, which could include commissioning adapted sight testing services to meet the needs of adults with learning disabilities. People over the age of 14 years old with a learning disability are entitled to a general practice led annual health check, to maintain their health. This can help identify undetected health conditions early, including problems with vision.
All children under the age of 16 years old, and those under the age of 19 years old in full time education, as well as adults aged 60 years old or over, are entitled to an NHS sight test. Those on a low income, and defined categories of people at particular risk of developing eye disease are also entitled to free tests. Sight tests will also be made available to all children attending special day and residential schools during 2024/25.
For adults, although having a learning disability does not provide exemption grounds, we would expect those with severe learning disabilities would meet the eligibility criteria in other ways. We therefore do not believe there is a need to extend eligibility further.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that NHS providers comply with the Accessible Information Standard.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Crawley on 1 December 2023 to Question 2857.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when NHS England plans to publish the revised Accessible Information Standard.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
NHS England remains committed to publishing the revised Accessible Information Standard (AIS) as soon as possible. Work is underway to ensure that, when published, the AIS and supporting documentation are available in accessible formats.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will take steps with (a) the Royal National Institute of Blind People, (b) local sight loss councils and (c) other third sector organisations to undertake a review of the effectiveness of non-clinical support services for people living with sight loss.
Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
We do not currently have any such plans. Commissioning of sight loss services takes place at a local level based on the needs of the local population. As set out in the Care Act 2014, local authorities are responsible for assessing the care needs of individuals with sight loss and making steps to meet any eligible needs. Eligible needs are those which significantly impact on the individual’s wellbeing, for example, maintaining personal hygiene and nutrition. If a person does not meet the eligibility threshold, they can get support from their local authority in making their own arrangements for care services.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department plans to increase the annual grant available under the Learning Support Fund for healthcare students studying (a) nursing, (b) midwifery and (c) allied healthcare professions.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government keeps the funding arrangements for all healthcare students under close review. At all times the Government must strike a balance between the level of support students receive and the need to make best use of public funds to deliver value for money.
On 1 September 2023, we announced a significant uplift to the travel and accommodation funding available through the Learning Support Fund, to ensure students are appropriately reimbursed for the costs of travelling for clinical placements. Eligible students will now be able to claim 50% more for their travel and accommodation expenses.
There are no immediate plans to make further changes to the scheme design.
Asked by: Marsha De Cordova (Labour - Battersea)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department plans to extend the Learning Support Fund to students studying pharmacy and cardiac physiology.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government keeps the funding arrangements for all healthcare students under close review. At all times the Government must strike a balance between the level of support students receive and the need to make best use of public funds to deliver value for money.
There are no immediate plans to make changes to the scheme design.