Question reference: S6W-18517
- Date lodged: 1 June 2023
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Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 June 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what communication it has had with NHS Shetland regarding the reported backlog of ophthalmic surgery, including cataract operations, for patients resident in Shetland, and what steps are being taken to reduce waiting times.
Answer
The Scottish Government are in regular contact with NHS Shetland to identify short term options and sustainable long-term solutions to support ophthalmic surgery, including cataract operations, across the North of Scotland.
We are working with all NHS Boards including NHS Shetland to reduce long waiting times. This includes targets announced in July 2022 to address the backlog of long waits and the delivery of the £1 billion NHS Recovery Plan to support sustainable improvements and new models of care, such as the National Treatment Centre Programme.