The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) has released a statement that confirmed its commitment to working with the independent sector on the delivery of NHS cataract surgery.
In the statement, RCOphth said it was committed to working with all stakeholders to ‘rapidly increase access to surgical training in the independent sector’ and ‘level the playing field for cataract providers to ensure equitable patient access and stability for the whole service.’
The statement also explained that while just 11% of cataract procedures in England were delivered by the independent sector in 2016, the figure for 2021 was up to 46%.
The RCOphth said there had been a particularly rapid shift since 2020, with the pandemic a key driver.
Optegra response
Optegra has announced that it is putting recommendations made by RCOphth into effect.
Richard Armitage, NHS director for Optegra, said: ‘We are delighted to be thoroughly aligned and in agreement with the requests and standards expected.’
Armitage went on to explain that Optegra’s newly opened clinic in Newcastle supported the NHS in a region where waiting times for cataract surgery had reached an average of 71.8 weeks.