New research commissioned by SpaMedica examines the potential impact of mandatory minimum waiting times for patients, their families and the NHS.
For someone living with cataracts, waiting for surgery can mean more than blurred vision. It can profoundly limit their daily life, affecting their confidence to leave home, driving, working or managing everyday tasks. New research commissioned by SpaMedica suggests that the consequences of delayed treatment may extend beyond the individual patient, increasing demand in other health and care services while also placing a greater burden on families and carers.
Around half of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England have introduced mandatory minimum waiting times of up to 16 weeks for cataract surgery, compared with previous waits of around four weeks. While these measures are intended to manage elective activity and spending, the report raises questions about the consequences for patients and the wider health service.
Our report, Minimum waiting times for cataract surgery: The impact on patients, families and the NHS, was developed with support and input from Age UK, RNIB, Fight for Sight and Thomas Pocklington Trust. It brings together surveys of patients and carers, interviews and economic analysis to examine the effects of delayed treatment.
Among 520 people waiting for NHS cataract surgery, the effects of impaired vision were already being felt across daily life.
The impact is practical as well as emotional. In the survey, 92% said they had changed their driving habits, including 29% who had stopped driving altogether. Among working-age respondents, 31% had reduced their working hours and 21% said they had stopped working. Over two-thirds (69%) of patients surveyed also reported that their mental health had worsened while waiting for their cataract surgery.
Longer waits are also having an impact on patients’ families and carers, who are increasingly providing additional support as patients lose independence. Around three in four patients said they needed more help from others since being referred. In a separate survey of 300 carers and family members, 86% said the patient’s declining health or independence had required them to provide additional care.
For many carers, that support can affect their own wellbeing, work and everyday responsibilities. Among those surveyed, 60% said they felt more stressed or anxious, while almost half said they were less able to manage their usual daily responsibilities.
The research suggests that postponing surgery may move demand into other parts of the health service. Almost one in five (19%) patients surveyed reported attending A&E or receiving treatment following a trip or fall while waiting, while a third (33%) said they needed additional GP appointments.
“Whilst we appreciate the pressure on hospital eye services in managing limited resources, ensuring equity of access, and balancing capacity, any delay to patient treatment increases the risk of trips and falls and may have significant negative impact on a person’s ability to manage their daily life.” – Eamonn Dunne, Partnerships & Projects Development Manager, Thomas Pocklington Trust
“Whilst we appreciate the pressure on hospital eye services in managing limited resources, ensuring equity of access, and balancing capacity, any delay to patient treatment increases the risk of trips and falls and may have significant negative impact on a person’s ability to manage their daily life.”
– Eamonn Dunne, Partnerships & Projects Development Manager, Thomas Pocklington Trust
The report calls on ICBs to pause the introduction or expansion of mandatory minimum waiting times for cataract surgery until the clinical, economic and equality impacts have been properly assessed. It also recommends listening to patients and representative organisations and involving clinical leaders in decisions about future waiting-time policies.
“Cataract surgery isn’t simply about improving someone’s eyesight. Timely treatment helps people stay independent, continue working and avoid the falls and additional health problems that can come with deteriorating vision. Making patients wait longer when capacity is available risks being a false economy, with the consequences felt by patients, their families and the NHS. We are asking commissioners to pause the further rollout of mandatory minimum waits and consider the full impact before extending these policies further.”
– Richard Woodward, CEO of SpaMedica
The research includes contributions from organisations working with older people and people affected by sight loss, including Age UK, RNIB, Fight for Sight and Thomas Pocklington Trust.
Explore the full findings, patient and carer experiences, the economic modelling and recommendations in Minimum waiting times for cataract surgery: A false economy for the NHS.
Independent quantitative fieldwork by Censuswide covered 520 adults in England waiting for NHS cataract surgery and 300 family members or close friends caring for someone on a waiting list, alongside qualitative focus groups, NHS data and economic modelling. The report was written by ZPB Associates
Your feedback matters to us. Please tell us what you think is missing.
"*" indicates required fields
Δ