After it emerged that some public patients were having to wait around two years for an initial cataracts assessment, a £1m scheme was introduced earlier this year to provide treatment in the UK for around 500 people in a bid to bring down the waiting lists.

In the meantime, Jersey private patients have continued to be treated locally.

However, it’s now emerged that the cataracts machine at the hospital is out of order, and it is not clear how soon it will be replaced or repaired.

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Pictured: Deputy Louise Doublet chairs the panel of politicians responsible for scrutinising the running of Health.

Deputy Louise Doublet, who chairs the panel of politicians responsible for scrutinising the running of Health, is now seeking answers from the Minister.

“It is understood that while patients in the public healthcare system are being offered a solution by being flown to Southampton for their operations, no such arrangements have been made for private patients,” she said in a letter to Deputy Tom Binet.

“This has created a situation where private patients are left waiting indefinitely for the machine to be repaired.

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.”

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Pictured: Health Minister Tom Binet has been asked to provide an update on the current status of cataract operations for both public and private patients.

The Minister has been asked to reply by next Thursday.

The UK ophthalmology initiative has been praised for bringing down waiting lists. 

Guernsey is now seeking to implement a similar system, and Jersey has shared details as part of the new Channel Island Alliance for Health and Social Care, which was formed to help the islands work together on solutions for improving healthcare.