New research has revealed growing pressure on NHS eye care waiting lists affecting patients in Harrogate.
A report by eye health provider Newmedica found that ophthalmology waiting list pressures increased across most of England's Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) during 2025, including NHS Humber and North Yorkshire.
The research, commissioned as part of Newmedica's Championing Eye Health: Patient Choice and Preventing Avoidable Sight Loss report, examined waiting list pressures and access to treatment for conditions including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts and glaucoma.
It found that 7,725 patients were added to NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ophthalmology waiting lists during 2025, while 7,072 patients completed treatment pathways over the same period.
Nationally, 34 of England's 42 Integrated Care Boards recorded more patient referrals than completed treatment pathways in 2025, with Newmedica saying this demonstrates increasing pressure on eye care services.
The report also found that 86% of Newmedica's clinics are located in areas where ophthalmology waiting lists are growing.
Newmedica Harrogate, based at Grove Park Court, provides both NHS-funded and private eye treatment, including cataract surgery.
Consultant Mr David Dunleavy said:
"The growing pressure we see on ophthalmology waiting lists is a clear warning that eye health in Harrogate and across England is under threat.
"This isn't a failure of clinical expertise – we work closely with the NHS every day and see first-hand the exceptional care provided to patients in Harrogate.
"Rather, the increasing pressure on waiting lists is a consequence of a system under funding pressure and a lack of transparency which makes it impossible for health commissioners to prioritise need."
He added:
"The result is that many instances of avoidable sight loss continues to occur, often because care is delivered too late. Patients are being let down.
"This stark situation must be tackled through reform aligned to the 10 Year Health Plan which generates greater collaboration between independent and NHS providers and deliver genuine patient choice.
"By embracing this reform, we can create a new system which delivers high-quality consultant-led care at scale.
"In doing so there's a real opportunity to increase capacity, increase treatment levels and significantly improve ophthalmology patient outcomes in Harrogate and across the country."
Newmedica Harrogate is owned and led by Mr David Dunleavy, Mr Aldrin Khan, Mr Kamran Khan and Mr David Richards, alongside operations director Steve Kirk.
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