Backlog of 7,000 eye patients revealed in NHS Trust

Almost 40 eye patients’ conditions have worsened due to a backlog of thousands of people waiting for appointments at one trust.

The University Hospital Southampton (UHS) NHS Foundation Trust discovered this issue in January and has been unable to give at least 7,000 patients with glaucoma or a diabetes related eye problem a follow-up appointment, causing trainee doctors to write a letter of concern to trust chiefs. The trust has said that this is a result of an ageing population and the need to maintain better sight for longer in patients with severe eye conditions. It is working with the NHS England High Impact Interventions for Ophthalmology group on how to meet future demands.