Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the waiting list of people in England who are currently waiting for their first specialist appointment with an ophthalmologist.

Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission. We will deliver an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments, including ophthalmology appointments, per week, as a first step in our commitment to ensuring patients can expect to be treated within 18 weeks.

We will be supporting National Health Service trusts to deliver these through innovation, sharing best practice to increase productivity and efficiency, and ensuring the best value is delivered.

Transforming outpatient services will also help reduce waiting times for patients. The target in the 2024/25 priorities and operational planning guidance to increase the proportion of all outpatient attendances that are for first appointments, or follow-up appointments attracting a procedure tariff to 46%, aims to improve access to specialist first appointments, or clinically necessary follow ups, including for ophthalmology patients. A copy of the guidance is attached.

The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care.