INCREASING numbers of NHS trusts are refusing to carry out cataract operations due, it is stated, to the costs involved.

This operation is relatively cheap and very quick and can give mainly older people the chance of being able to see properly, rather than gradually losing their sight altogether.

Another problem which can affect older people is age-related macular degeneration, which can result in people eventually losing their sight.

One type of macular degeneration can be improved by having injections into the eye.

My friend's husband had this type and went for the injections, to be met by a very patronising nurse who said she hoped he realised just how much these injections were costing the NHS ­— this to a man who has worked and paid into the NHS for 40 years.

This week I read in a national daily newspaper that some NHS trusts are paying locum doctors enormous sums of money to cover various shifts.

One locum ­— a specialist eye doctor ­— was paid nearly £6,000 to be on duty over a weekend, despite the fact that his services would only be required in an emergency. They cite many other examples of locums being paid enormous sums of money, despite Health Minister Stephen Hammond saying "I never want to see the NHS exploited by overpriced agencies."

Despite the billions which are being ploughed into the NHS, it is still not enough.

However, there is so much waste and exploitation of the service that I cannot see there ever being enough of our hard-earned money to cover what is being taken out.

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