NHS patients waiting up to 15 months for life-changing cataract operations

CATARACT surgery is a postcode lottery with waits of up to 15 months, a charity says.

NHS delays are “unfair” and some regions are cutting life-changing eye ops despite rising need.

2

An average wait in Enfield, North London, is 467 days, compared with just 15 in Luton, reports the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

There were almost 400,000 lens replacement ops in 2015/16.

Last night a report claimed the NHS rationing body Nice has been given until April to draw up fairer rules.

Related Stories

OUT THE DOOR

Second NHS fat cat quits death probe mental health trust for 'personal reasons'

STRAIGHT OUTTA KENDAL

Tim Farron left red-faced after phone blasts out NWA's F*** Tha Police track in NHS meeting

Tough love

Brad Pitt dubbed the 'stricter' parent as he heads to the divorce courts

R.I.P. BRANGELINA

As the rom-com ends for Hollywood’s power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, we look back at the romance

2

The RNIB also found a “noticeable variation” in surgery rates in England.

There were 1,166 per 100,000 people in Scarborough and Ryedale, North Yorks, but 328 in Tower Hamlets, East London.

The charity said: “Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said access to treatment should be based on clinical need.

“Our research proves this is not happening.”

NHS England said: “Most are treated in 18 weeks.”