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 ensure that patients referred for NHS elective eye care are offered an adequate choice of NHS and independent sector providers.

This question was answered on 20th October 2026
Patients have a legal right to choose where they go when referred for consultant-led care. This includes NHS-funded elective eye care where clinically appropriate for both NHS and independent sector providers delivering NHS services. We are protecting patient choice through the Health Bill and strengthening it through improved digital services, helping patients make informed choices about their care.