To deliver on the College’s influencing and thought leadership goals, our spokespeople regularly talk to the media. Over the last month, we have secured three pieces of coverage on the topic of cataract treatments.
In mid-June, our President, Ben Burton, was quoted in a Guardian Observer article on the recent rise in NHS cataract surgeries, which has seen an extra 200,000 people a year undergo the procedure compared to pre-pandemic. Much of this is down to increased reliance on the independent sector, which is having knock-on effects on the sustainability of other NHS ophthalmology services.
Towards the end of last month, our response to an NHS England consultation on a proposed reduction in the amount providers are paid to carry out cataract procedures was cited by the Health Service Journal. The article also carried a quote from our President. Read more on their website (subscription required).
This week, we were quoted in a Guardian article on the impact of outsourcing cataract surgeries from the NHS to the private sector. We highlighted the unintended consequences this has had on NHS staffing and our ability to treat patients with more complex conditions.
To find out more about our views on how growing independent sector provision of cataract treatments is affecting training opportunities in England, read our position statement.