Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many ophthalmologists there are currently (1) in training, and (2) in post-training practice.

Health Education England estimates there are currently 539 ophthalmologists and seven medical ophthalmologists in training. This information is based on data from the Electronic Staff Record.

NHS Digital publishes statistics on National Health Service staff working in hospital and community health services. The latest data as at 31 July 2016, published on 25 October, shows that there are 2,608 full time equivalent medical ophthalmology and ophthalmology doctors working in the NHS in England, of which 1,787 are in post training practice. These include consultants (certificate of completion of training holders) as well as associate specialists, specialty doctors, staff grade doctors and hospital practitioners/clinical assistants.