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<p>Clinical commissioning groups are responsible for commissioning cataract surgery
for their local populations. Patients have the right to start consultant-led treatment
within 18 weeks of referral for non-urgent conditions, or alternatively have the right
to ask for an alternative provider who can see them sooner. All patients should be
treated without unnecessary delay and according to their clinical priority.</p><p>Where
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance does not exist on
a particular treatment, it is for local National Health Service commissioners to make
funding decisions based on an assessment of the available evidence and on the basis
of an individual patient’s clinical circumstances. However, in light of concerns about
lengthy waits for treatment and unacceptable variations in care, the Secretary of
State has asked NICE to bring forward its guidance on cataracts from 2018 to 2017.
This will provide NHS commissioners with evidence based guidance from NICE and ensure
patients have access to the most effective treatment as early as possible.</p><p>The
Government has not made an assessment of the effect of hospital-initiated postponement
of cataract surgery on patients’ sight or of the impact of innovative technologies;
we anticipate that these aspects will be considered by NICE in their assessment.</p>
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