Published at 11:12, Thursday, 15 September 2011

DEMAND for ophthalmology treatment is outstripping capacity at North Cumbria’s hospitals.

Corinne Siddall, director of operations at the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital, said she is concerned at the number of patients now waiting longer than 18 weeks.

There are also similar problems in oral surgery.

Ms Siddall, who is new to North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, said she is now personally looking to resolve the problem.

Latest figures show that in both of these areas, the trust is under-performing against its target to see 90 per cent of patients within 18 weeks of them being referred.

In July only 71 per cent of ophthalmology patients were seen within that period, while in June it was just 13 per cent.

In oral surgery only 43 per cent were seen within the time frame in June, rising to 63 per cent the following month.

This week Ms Siddall reported to the trust board that although problems in oral surgery should be resolved by October, she still remains concerned about ophthalmology.

“Demand is outstripping capacity. It’s one of my main concerns.

“That’s what I’m putting the majority of my efforts into,” she said.

“There has been a 23 per cent increase in referrals to ophthalmology, while at the same time we have had some service challenges both here and in the community.

“We need to understand what’s driving that and deal with a number of patients who are waiting and have been in the system for some time.”

She said she is currently working with the department and commissioners to identify reasons behind the rising trend in referrals.

Last month it was revealed that the overall number of patients in Cumbria waiting over 18 weeks for treatment has doubled in the past 12 months – 571 in June 2011 compared to 239 in June 2010.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk