NHS guidance to tackle waiting times

New clinical guidance published by the NHS aimed to reduce waiting times for eye care services in England by improving the way patients are tested.  

It proposed patients could access diagnostic imaging before they were referred to a consultant, which could ease pressure on ophthalmology services and free up clinical time for specialists.  

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS medical director, said: ‘We expect these changes will prevent thousands of unnecessary referrals to ophthalmology services – giving back patients and staff alike their valuable time – as well as updating guidance for a range of other services to ensure the most effective and efficient treatment is being used for patients.’