Written question asked by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 June 2026. It was answered by Stephen Kinnock (Labour) on Monday, 15 June 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Ophthalmic Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure eyecare services are protected in forthcoming legislation.

Answer: The Health Bill will transfer statutory responsibility for commissioning primary ophthalmic services to integrated care boards (ICBs). Commissioning responsibility for these services has already been delegated by NHS England to ICBs since 2023, and funding is allocated to ICBs each year for this purpose. National Health Service sight testing services will continue to operate within a national regulatory and contractual framework, with contract terms set in regulations and fees set nationally through Directions. The bill will not affect patient eligibility for NHS sights tests.

Secondary information