Executive summary

Ophthalmology has been one of the clearest successes of NHS elective recovery. Independent providers have helped expand capacity significantly, protecting patients’ sight, bringing care closer to home and freeing NHS capacity for more complex care. Today, independent providers deliver around one in five NHS ophthalmology appointments and more than half of NHS cataract procedures.

But demand for eyecare will continue to grow, driven by an ageing population and rising prevalence of chronic eye disease. The College of Optometrists has estimated that the number of people across the UK with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is predicted to increase by almost 25% over the next 10 years, with demand for primary open-angle glaucoma and vision impairing cataracts increasing by 16%. The priority now must be to build on the progress already made and ensure the NHS makes the best use of capacity across all providers.

This report identifies four priorities for action:

• Consistently implement patient choice, so patients can access the full range of qualified NHS-funded providers.
• Introduce transparent demand-and-capacity planning, enabling available capacity to be matched more effectively with patient need.
• Provide stable contracting arrangements, allowing providers to plan and maintain a safe workforce and clinical capacity.
• Establish common standards for data, audit and digital interoperability, supporting consistent quality, transparency and joined-up care.

Delivering these changes would help create a more integrated and sustainable eyecare system in which NHS and independent providers work as complementary partners, making the best use of available capacity to deliver timely, high-quality care and protect patients’ sight.