IHPN responds to Sunday Times report on private cataract provision in the NHS

Responding to reports in the Sunday Times around the provision of NHS cataract surgery by independent healthcare providers, an IHPN spokesperson said:

“We refute the notion that any procedures are being carried out unnecessarily by our members – independent providers are playing a vital role in ensuring NHS patients can get much-needed access to cataracts and other ophthalmic procedures and as a result of this involvement, not only have overall NHS ophthalmology activity levels risen by over 15% since 2019, ophthalmology is the only major specialty where the median waiting time is now lower than it was in 2019. There are currently almost 600,000 people on the ophthalmology waiting list, and without the independent sector, that waiting list would grow by more than 50,000 every month.

“Taxpayers should be absolutely reassured that the cost to the NHS is the same whether an ophthalmology patient is treated in an NHS Trust or in the independent sector, with the NHS’ ‘tariff price’ applying to all types of providers.

“Independent ophthalmology providers work with local commissioners to deliver high quality patient care with 98% rated good or outstanding by the health regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Research from the Royal College of Ophthalmology shows the high-quality patient outcomes delivered by independent providers, with their National Ophthalmology Database (NOD) showing that complication rates in the independent sector on average are below half the rates expected by the College.”

“All providers of NHS cataract surgery – whether public or private – should adhere to the robust commissioning and clinical guidance in place. At no stage have we been informed by the NHS Counter Fraud Authority of any investigation into this issue.”