Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the capacity of hospital eye departments to meet the demand for treatment in a timely manner.

Waiting times for hospital eye services are assessed and reported on in the same way as other secondary care services. Monthly performance statistics which include figures on general practitioner referrals to a consultant-led team and number of outpatient/inpatient appointments carried out each month are published by NHS England and are available at:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/hospital-activity/

National Health Service hospital eye services are arranged by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in response to the needs of their local population. CCGs are also able to commission eye care services in the community to meet local demand. For all services commissioned, including ophthalmic services, there will be an assessment of the health needs of their local population.

NHS England’s Elective Care Transformation Programme is supporting local clinicians and CCGs to manage demand for services effectively to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients and the most efficient use of resources. Eye care services are one of a number of specialities being examined through this programme of work.