NHS patients waiting up to 15 months for life-changing cataract operations
Residents in Enfield wait an average of 467 days for the eye op, while people living in Luton wait just 15 days
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.
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.
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.”