Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of commissioning independent sector treatment centres to perform combined cataract and glaucoma procedures.

No specific assessment has been made on commissioning independent sector treatment centres to perform combined cataract and glaucoma procedures. Independent sector providers have a significant role to play in supporting the National Health Service as trusted partners to recover elective services. Use of the independent sector will support our efforts to tackle the backlog and deliver value for money.

Joint regular reviews of demand for services and available capacity will support the clinically appropriate transfer of high volume and low complexity conditions to the independent sector. The Health and Care Act 2022 made it easier for commissioners, and different types of providers, to work together to tackle long standing issues in their area, learn from each other, and try new ways of joint working. This will include testing new models of care, pooling budgets, and giving local areas the flexibility to design teams that best meet their needs.