Comment: NHS’ Cataract removal cuts are a costly mistake, says Medical Negligence Solicitor

Responding to the news that NHS England are to restrict patients’ access to cataract removal, Kathryn Sharkey, Medical Negligence Solicitor at Fletchers Solicitors believes this undermines patients’ needs and will cost the health service more in the long run.

“With an ever ageing society the news that patients’ access to cataract removal treatment is disappointing. 

“Cataract surgery is the most common operation performed in the UK with a high success rate in improving eyesight. 

“Vision loss has a major negative impact on the quality of older people’s lives. Sight remains as valued and important in later life as at any other age and its loss is one of the things older people fear most. Improving access to eye care services for this age group, as well as older people’s uptake of such services, is therefore very important. 

“To reduce patient access to the type of treatment they require will have the obvious negative impact on care services and will send such costs soaring which is the precise effect that the limiting of cataract treatment access is seeking to gain. 

“The decision is short sighted.”