Letter

NHS cataract service

ISTC programme is an expensive option

BMJ 2007; 334 doi: 10.1136/bmj.39108.384572.1F (Published 1 February 2007)
Cite this as: BMJ 2007;334:222.2

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  1. Simon P Kelly, consultant ophthalmic surgeon (simon.kelly@RBH.nhs.uk)1,
  2. Brenda Billington, president2,
  3. Richard Smith, vice president2,
  4. Rhod Daniel, chairman3
  1. 1Bolton Eye Unit, Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust, Bolton BL4 OJR
  2. 2Royal College of Ophthalmologists, London NW1 4QW
  3. 3Ophthalmic Group Committee, BMA, London WC1H 9JP

    The improvement report in relation to cataract surgery1 is further evidence that the independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) programme was an expensive over-reaction to the need to increase rates of cataract surgery.2 Many ophthalmology departments had improved cataract surgery pathways, as part of Action on Cataract, an NHS initiative supported by the college,3 before the ISTC …

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