๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐ฒ: ๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ฉ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ค ๐ท For many, Dry...
๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ฌ
๐จ Private providers of NHS-funded cataract surgeries are under formal investigation by the Department of Health and NHS Counter Fraud Authority, following allegations of inflated costs, unnecessary procedures, and financial incentives for referrals. The investigation comes as NHS spending on cataract operations has nearly doubled, rising from ยฃ420 million in 2018โ19 to ยฃ880 million in 2023โ24.
๐ท Currently, over 55% of NHS cataract surgeries are carried out by private clinics, up from 24% just five years ago. Five of the largest providers reportedly earned ยฃ536 million in 2023โ24, with profits reaching ยฃ169 million.
๐ A survey by the The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) found 67% of NHS ophthalmology leads believe this outsourcing has negatively impacted patient care, particularly through reduced training opportunities (73%), staffing (50%), and overall funding (58%). NHS eye departments now face challenges in managing more complex eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, as resources and personnel are diverted toward routine cataract surgeries in the private sector.
๐ There are growing calls for urgent reform to protect the future of NHS eye care services and ensure taxpayer money is used effectively. Critics warn that without action, the system risks creating โeye care desertsโ similar to the crisis already seen in NHS dentistry.
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