Published at 11:10, Thursday, 19 April 2012

LONG delays for ophthalmology treatment at hospitals in Whitehaven and Carlisle are gradually easing.

Demand for eye services has been outstripping supply for more than a year, resulting in some patients waiting over 50 weeks for treatment.

But the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust’s board heard this week that work to resolve the problems is now having an impact.

Corrine Siddall, director of operations, said: “I’ve had figures through this week on the ophthalmology position and it is positive news. At the end of February we had 80 people waiting over 50 weeks, now we have got 21 people waiting over that period of time.”

She added that the number of people waiting between 26 and 52 weeks has dropped from 381 to 166, while there has also been an improvement in those waiting 18 to 26 weeks.

“We have made some real significant progress. It is likely that by the end of April we will have 92 per cent of patients below 18 weeks. We have also reported to NHS North that by the beginning of June we will be back in line with the 18-week targets.”

Ms Siddall reported to the board in September, not long after starting in post, that long delays in ophthalmology were one of her main concerns.

Back then she reported that only 71 per cent of patients were seen within 18 weeks in July, and in June it was just 13 per cent. The target is to see 90 per cent within that time.

She said she was personally looking to resolve the problem – which was the result of a surge in referrals and other challenges in both hospital and community services.

To address the backlog, two locum speciality doctors were brought in, providing six extra clinics a week at both hospitals. Now one of the locums has been replaced by a permanent speciality doctor and another is due to start in post in the next two weeks.

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