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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to raise awareness of (a) macular degeneration and (b) visual disease in general among (i) the public and (ii) health professionals. [190911] Ms Rosie Winterton: [holding answer 14 October 2004]: From 1 April 1999, we restored free sight tests under the national health service to those aged 60 and over and free sight tests continue to be available through the NHS to large parts of the population, including children, those aged 16-18 in full-time education, people on benefits, those people at particular risk of developing eye disease and people who are registered blind and partially sighted or who have a complex spectacle prescription. Sight tests provide the ideal opportunity to review all aspects of eye health, including investigations for signs of disease. Those at risk of specific eye disease, for example, diabetic retinopathy, may be asked to attend regular screening. Information about the extensive arrangements for providing help with NHS optical services and other health costs are publicised in the widely available leaflet, HC11--"Are you entitled to help with health costs?" The eye care services steering group was set up in December 2002 to develop proposals for the modernisation of NHS eye care services. The group has developed model care pathways for glaucoma, age- related macular degeneration, low vision and cataract. We have made available £4 million to fund eight pilot sites to test the new pathways. My right hon. friend, the Minister of State for Health (Mr. Mutton), launched the report of the group and the model pathways on 11 May 2004. A copy of the report was sent as commissioning guidance to all primary care trusts and NHS trusts. We have also invested an additional £73 million to deliver shorter waiting times for cataract patients so that no patient will wait more than three months by December 2004. In addition, the national service framework (NSF) for diabetes includes a target that by 2006, a minimum of 80 per cent. of people with diabetes are to be offered screening for the early detection and treatment, if needed, of diabetic retinopathy, rising to 100 per cent., coverage by the end of 2007. This includes investment of £27 million for the purchase of capital equipment to support the screening programme, including the purchase of digital cameras. The NSF for older people recognises visual impairment as a risk factor for falls. The importance of identifying those with sight problems who may require a full eye examination is highlighted within the single assessment process.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

425 c491-2W; 190911

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Diseases Eyesight Publicity Ophthalmic services Macular degeneration

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk