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Written question asked by Andy Slaughter (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 (named day). It was answered by Stephen Kinnock (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Glaucoma: Health Services

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure Integrated Care Boards are (a) adopting the recent Get It Right First-Time guidance on glaucoma and (b) commissioning enhanced referral and filtering schemes.

Answer

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning primary and secondary eye care services to meet the needs of their local populations. This can include community-based glaucoma services, delivered by high street optical practices.

The Department welcomed the publication of the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) glaucoma best practice guidance, which highlights a range of approaches to improving glaucoma care and reducing avoidable sight loss. These include making greater use of primary care optometry to undertake additional testing for patients suspected of having glaucoma to help reduce unnecessary referrals, and, where appropriate, supporting the monitoring of patients with glaucoma in the community.

The GIRFT team will be hosting a webinar for ICB commissioners on 28 July, to promote the guidance and encourage consideration of its recommendations. Decisions on the commissioning of local services will remain a matter for ICBs.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
16857
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Health services Glaucoma
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk