Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to expand the size of the ophthalmology work force.

The Department has commissioned NHS England to develop a long-term workforce plan. The plan will consider the number of staff and the roles required and will set out the actions and reforms needed to improve workforce supply and retention.

Health Education England has confirmed an increase in ophthalmology training places for 2022 and training and development is available for the wider existing workforce, including orthoptists, ophthalmic nurses, optometrists and dispensing opticians, to support staff to work to the full extent of their licence.

NHS England is also working with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists to support cataract training in the National Health Service and independent sector and to determine which hospital eye care services can be safely moved into the community, supported virtually through digital technology by secondary care specialists.