Written question WQ89067

I am concerned about the performance against the eye care measures and raised this in the Ministerial Ophthalmology Summit in November 2022. I was very clear on my expectations that we cannot do more of the same and expect different results. Health boards must work differently, making use of the technology available and work together. The summit report can be found here. A follow up summit is being planned.

Following the summit. I commissioned a National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology to identify how the Pyott report recommendations will be completed and requested details on:

• Demand, capacity, activity and backlog positions

• Workforce and training in ophthalmology

• Infrastructure and pathways required to ensure services become most sustainable

• Actions required to reduce long waiting times.

The clinical strategy will set out the long-term blueprint for eye care and support the case for additional investment where required to ensure services are fit for purpose. I expect a report and recommendations by the end of January 2024, with follow up reports and further work through to March 2024.

The Ophthalmology Clinical Implementation Network (CIN) is focusing on the shorter to medium-term improvements and the implementation of the Getting it Right First-Time (GiRFT) reviews of glaucoma and cataract pathways.

We continue to work with all health boards to explore all viable options to reduce ophthalmology waiting times. This includes ensuring that strategic planning and operational delivery are focused on delivering optimum, clinically agreed pathways as well as using additional resources to treat as many patients as possible, such as community services and advanced practitioners to manage both acute and chronic ophthalmic conditions.

Last year, I launched the programme for transforming and modernising planned care, which includes radical changes to the way in which people access the care they need. Reducing waiting times requires new innovative solutions, which include redefining services so that those who are at the greatest risk of sight loss or irreversible harm are seen as a priority.

Officials are undertaking a deep dive into local plans and progress during September. Ophthalmology specific meetings have been escalated within health boards and will focus on addressing the backlogs across the waiting lists, ensuring they our maximising the use of the new ways of working.

The September 2022 announcement of the new optometry contracted terms of service will start to impact on health boards services across Wales by the end of this year. The emphasis is on more treatment and care delivered in the community. The overarching focus of optometry reform is centred on alleviating pressure on hospital eye services. We are increasing the range of services delivered closer to home in primary care optometric practices, where there is a skilled workforce with the capacity to meet the predicted substantial increase in demand. Moving the delivery of some eye care services from hospitals to primary care optometry, represents the most viable and sustainable solution.

Health boards will focus on maximising new ways of working and the opportunities presented through optometry reform to reduce waiting lists.

Four clinical leads have also been appointed, representing each region in Wales.