Cataract surgery replaces a cloudy lens in the eye with an artificial lens. Surgery is the only way to get rid of cataracts, and it is recommended when they affect daily life. It is usually done under local anaesthetic, so you are awake but should not feel pain, and if both eyes need it they are treated on separate days.
Many NHS cataract operations are done by independent-sector providers on behalf of the NHS. Hospital-level numbers are not published as open data, so this page shows NHS waiting times for ophthalmology at each trust.
Hospitals in the West Midlands
15 trusts in the West Midlands with published figures. Sorted by name. This is not a ranking: read how to read this first.
Hospital-level numbers for this specific operation are not published as open data. The activity column is context only: it shows the trust's overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C (eye) in 2025-26, from Hospital Episode Statistics, in bands. It covers many other procedures as well as this one, it is for the whole trust rather than one hospital, and it does not include private patients. It is not a count of this operation.
| Trust | Trust activity (context)Trust's overall NHS-funded activity, OPCS-4 chapter C (eye), 2025-26 (HES). Context only | Key outcomeNo hospital-level outcome data published | Waiting timeWhole trust | Patient experience | CQC rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Birmingham Women’s Hospital | Fewer than 1,500Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| Not published for this specialty | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Birmingham Children's Hospital: Good (CQC report for Birmingham Children's Hospital) Birmingham Women's Hospital: Good (CQC report for Birmingham Women's Hospital) |
| The Dudley Group NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Russells Hall Hospital | 7,500 or moreTrust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 13.2 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 62.4% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Russells Hall Hospital) |
| George Eliot Hospital NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: George Eliot NHS Hospital | Fewer than 1,500Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 8.8 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 76.4% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.6 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for George Eliot NHS Hospital) |
| The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Hospital | Fewer than 1,500Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| Not published for this specialty | Much better than expectedInpatients rated their overall experience 9.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Hospital) |
| The Royal Wolverhampton NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: New Cross Hospital | 3,000 to 7,499Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 12.4 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 64.4% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for New Cross Hospital) |
| Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: City Health Campus, Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, Sandwell Health Campus | 3,000 to 7,499Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 9.5 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 78.9% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | City Health Campus: Requires improvement (CQC report for City Health Campus) Midland Metropolitan University Hospital: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Midland Metropolitan University Hospital) Sandwell Health Campus: Requires improvement (CQC report for Sandwell Health Campus) |
| Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, The Princess Royal Hospital | 3,000 to 7,499Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 11.2 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 73.3% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Royal Shrewsbury Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Royal Shrewsbury Hospital) The Princess Royal Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for The Princess Royal Hospital) |
| South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Warwick Hospital | Fewer than 1,500Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 15 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 57.5% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.5 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for Warwick Hospital) |
| University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Solihull Hospital | 7,500 or moreTrust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 12 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 65.4% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 7.9 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Birmingham Heartlands Hospital: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Birmingham Heartlands Hospital) Good Hope Hospital: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Good Hope Hospital) Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham: Requires improvement (CQC report for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham) Solihull Hospital: No Approved Rating (CQC report for Solihull Hospital) |
| University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: University Hospital | 3,000 to 7,499Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 17.9 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 50.2% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Good (CQC report for University Hospital) |
| University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Queens Hospital | 7,500 or moreTrust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 13 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 64.6% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Queens Hospital) |
| University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: County Hospital, Royal Stoke University Hospital | 3,000 to 7,499Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 15.6 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 55.5% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | County Hospital: Good (CQC report for County Hospital) Royal Stoke University Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Royal Stoke University Hospital) |
| Walsall Healthcare NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Manor Hospital, Moat Road | Fewer than 1,500Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 7.4 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 82.1% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.3 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for Manor Hospital, Moat Road) |
| Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: Alexandra Hospital, Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre, Worcestershire Royal Hospital | 3,000 to 7,499Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 12.4 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 66.1% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.1 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Alexandra Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Alexandra Hospital) Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre: Good (CQC report for Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre) Worcestershire Royal Hospital: Requires improvement (CQC report for Worcestershire Royal Hospital) |
| Wye Valley NHS TrustWhole trust. Hospitals: The County Hospital | 1,500 to 2,999Trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in OPCS-4 chapter C, 2025-26. Context only, not a count of this operation. | No outcome data published for this operationMore measures
| 9.9 weeksHalf of people waiting for ophthalmology had waited less than this. 74.5% waiting under 18 weeks (August 2026) | About the same as other trustsInpatients rated their overall experience 8.4 out of 10 (CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025, whole trust) | Requires improvement (CQC report for The County Hospital) |
Across England
In 2025-26, NHS-funded care in England (NHS hospitals and NHS patients treated by independent providers; private patients are not included) recorded 573,088 episodes where the main procedure was insertion of an artificial lens (OPCS-4 C75). 99% were day cases. Half of the people admitted from a waiting list had waited less than about 37 days from the decision to admit them. These are national figures from Hospital Episode Statistics (NHS England, 2025-26, Open Government Licence v3.0); the same detail is not published for each hospital.
The 2025-26 national cataract figure is lower than 2024-25 (677,116). Most of the fall is at independent-sector eye providers, whose recorded eye operations fell by 18% while NHS trusts fell by 2%. It may reflect incomplete recording rather than fewer operations, so do not read it as a trend.
How to read this
- Not a ranking. The table is in alphabetical order. A higher volume does not on its own mean better care, and we do not combine the columns into a score.
- Trust activity (Hospital Episode Statistics). The bands show the trust’s overall NHS-funded activity in a whole chapter of the procedure classification (OPCS-4), for context. They are not a count of this operation, they are for the whole trust rather than one hospital, they exclude private patients, and we show bands only, not exact counts. Cut points are the lower quartile, median and upper quartile of all 122 NHS trusts in England with activity in OPCS-4 chapter C in the published table, rounded.
- Risk adjustment. Where a figure says “adjusted”, the audit has allowed for differences in the patients each hospital treats, such as age and other illnesses. Hospitals that take on more complex cases can still look different for reasons the adjustment does not capture.
- Bands and limits. We only say a result is higher or lower than expected when the source itself says so (for example NJR outlier status, NELA funnel limits, SSNAP levels, CQC survey bands). Where the source publishes a rate without limits we show the rate and the national figure, and say “No banding published”.
- Small numbers. A small hospital can have 0% or a high percentage by chance. Figures the source suppresses are shown as “Not published (small numbers)”.
- Trust or hospital. This audit publishes figures for each NHS trust, which may run several hospitals. The operation may only be done at one of them.
- Different periods. Each figure has its own period, shown next to it. Audit results describe operations done one to three years ago; waiting times are updated monthly.
- Talk to your GP or consultant about what the figures mean for you. If you are referred for planned care in England, you can usually choose your hospital.
Full definitions: methodology and data dictionary.
Data sources and licences
- Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity 2025-26 (Hospital Episode Statistics), NHS England. Source: Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity 2025-26, NHS England, part of the Government Statistical Service (published 24 September 2026). Copyright © 2026, NHS England. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. NHS-funded activity only. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times, NHS England. Source: NHS England, Referral to Treatment waiting times. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Diagnostic Waiting Times and Activity (DM01), NHS England. Source: NHS England, Diagnostic Waiting Times and Activity (DM01). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- CQC Adult Inpatient Survey 2025 (trust benchmark results), Care Quality Commission. Source: Care Quality Commission, NHS Patient Survey Programme, Adult Inpatient Survey 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- CQC ratings, Care Quality Commission. CQC ratings: Care Quality Commission. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
- Healthcare-associated infections: annual counts and rates by trust (financial year 2025 to 2026), UK Health Security Agency. Source: UK Health Security Agency, healthcare-associated infection annual data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0
Data last updated 26 October 2026. We do not change the published figures; we only group volumes into bands. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Sources
We checked this guide against these official pages on 26 October 2026.
- Cataract surgery (NHS website)
- Cataracts (NHS website)
- Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity 2025-26 (NHS England)
- Consultant-led Referral to Treatment Waiting Times 2026-27 (NHS England)
- Adult inpatient survey (Care Quality Commission)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us.