Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 April 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 April 2025. It was answered by Stephen Kinnock (Labour) on Monday, 28 April 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Ophthalmic Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to improve ocular health in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

Answer

Prevention, early detection, and access to timely treatment are all key to maintaining good eye health. Free National Health Service sight tests are available for children, those aged 60 years old and over, individuals on low incomes, and those at increased risk of certain eye diseases, including glaucoma. Free NHS sight tests are also being rolled out for children and young people attending special educational settings across England. Diabetic Retinopathy screening is also offered to individuals aged 12 years old or over with diabetes.

NHS England has been testing how integrating primary and secondary eye care services, through IT connectivity and the development of a single point of access, could improve the referral, triage and management of patients with eye care needs and reduce the time from diagnosis to treatment. The North East London Integrated Care System, which includes Romford, have a number of measures in place to improve eye health including a single point of access to improve referrals into secondary care and minor eye care services in the community.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 45491
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Ophthalmic services
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Ophthalmic Services

Secondary information

Librarians' tools