PATIENTS waiting for cataract operations faced multiple cancellations as a result of microscopes used by the Ophthalmology Department being temporarily out of service, it has emerged.
The JEP spoke to two Islanders who were due to have private operations in mid-August. Both patients were contacted the previous day with news of the procedure being postponed for four weeks, only for a further postponement the day before.
Both people – one man and one woman – were still waiting for a new date at the start of October, although the female patient was subsequently given a date for later this month.
The Health Department stated that a specialist engineer had since visited the Island to carry out repairs.
A Health spokesperson said: “We apologise to any patients who have been affected and their procedure will be rescheduled as soon as possible.”
The JEP has been told that a total of 32 cataract patients have been affected, 18 cataract operations having taken place during August and September – this included a two-week spell during which the theatres where such operations take place were closed for planned maintenance.
In a further update issued to this newspaper, the department said both microscopes were back in action by the first week of October and that eight cataract operations had taken place by Thursday 3 October.
The problems with the microscopes comes as a blow to the Health Department after information was released in early September about a new partnership with the specialist ophthalmic centre in Southampton.
A total of 177 Islanders flew to Southampton between the start of the initiative at Easter and the end of August, helping to reduce waiting times.
The issue has also been raised by the Health and Social Services Scrutiny Panel, with panel chair Deputy Louise Doublet writing to Health Minister Tom Binet to request information about the matter.
In a letter to the minister, Deputy Doublet said that private patients were being disadvantaged because they did not have the option of going to Southampton.
“This has created a situation where private patients are left waiting indefinitely for the machine to be repaired,” she said.
“We would request that clarification is provided publicly on the current status of cataract operations for both public and private patients, and what steps are being taken to resolve the issue.”
Contact
– Patients with concerns are advised to contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service by emailing PALS@health.gov.je or phoning 443515
