Cataract care plan includes referral by optometrists

Timed to coincide with the Prime Minister's Labour Party Conference speech on Tuesday (September 28), the Department of Health announced that the money would 'modernise' services, and ensure quicker and more efficient services for hundreds of thousands of patients. Over the next two years, 50 new treatment and recovery facilities will be provided nationwide. 'These will offer fast, streamlined, armchair care, as part of the Government's pledge to change the way the NHS organises care,' a department spokesman said. 'Booked direct from your GP or optician, by the time this initiative is complete, no patient will have to wait more than six months from referral to treatment. These new centres will boost the number of cataract operations carried out each year from 170,000 up to 250,000 a year.' Hospital eye departments will establish refurbished facilities for cataract surgery, and the funding will ensure redesigned hospital facilities have up-to-date equipment to treat more patients and cut waiting times, the Department of Health announced. Secretary of state for health, Frank Dobson, said: 'Waiting for cataract surgery is distressing for thousands of sufferers. This investment will bring about a real improvement in the lives of many older people.' The new systems include: - The opportunity to pre-book hospital appointments, offering patients a choice of dates and times. This is planned to take away the traditional uncertainty of being on a waiting list and not being aware when the next stage of care will take place. - A 'one-stop' assessment appointment to make sure the patient is ready for an operation if required. - A 'home-on-the-same-day-treatment', preferred by most patients.