Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has called for urgent action on the back of a report showing concerns about lack of training and communication around growing eye care waiting lists.
The South Belfast MLA stated: “Waiting lists for eye care are already at a totally unacceptable level, with people being left with huge uncertainty about when they will receive vital treatment. The knock-on social costs, for example where those on the list who are carers are then rendered unable to support family or friends, are huge and provide further evidence the Health Service cannot be seen as a series of financial transactions.
“The 10,000 Voices report further demonstrates not just the awful anxiety felt by many of those left waiting years for vital services, but also the understandable frustration of many people who are simply not informed about what is happening.
“It is also essential we ensure all staff coming into contact with people with a sight impairment are trained, and we need to consider if signage and formats for communication should be updated.
“It is bad enough that people are waiting so long, but they must be fully informed in an appropriate manner about when their treatment will be available and what form precisely it will take.”