Page 14 - FODO Strategy 2023

Existing models of care cannot meet these changing
demographics and clinical needs, especially where these rely on
unsustainable and strained outpatient models of care hamstrung
by chronic underfunding and capacity constraints.
For example, waiting lists for hospital ophthalmology were already
under pressure before the Covid-19 pandemic. With the British
Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit reporting that more than
200 patients each year losing their vision because of delays in
hospital care and the Health and Healthcare Safety Investigation
19
Branch reporting around 22 patients a month suffered severe or
permanent sight loss because of delays in glaucoma care. 20

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has also advised that
backlogs in care have worsened during the pandemic, and new
models of care and investment are needed if we are going to tackle
the root causes of the challenges.
21

The scale of ophthalmology outpatient visits

Ophthalmology
accounts for 8%
of all outpatient 8.76 million
ophthalmology
activity outpatient appointments
a year in the UK

7,911,000 322,000
England Wales

Demand predicted 446,000 83,000
to increase by Scotland NI
40% (between Source 22
2018 and 2038) 23

14 FODO UK