Written question WQ94043

New optometry legislation came into force in April 2024 to reform and expand the scope of services provided by optometrists.

Diagnosing, managing and treating more people in primary care by using optometrists with higher qualifications will significantly reduce the demand for secondary care ophthalmology opinion and intervention as only those people who require specialist eye services will be seen in hospital.

To support these changes, a national programme – funded through the planned care transformation fund – is being set up to identify appropriate hospital pathways to be transferred to primary care optometry services. This will increase outpatient capacity in hospitals for new patients waiting to start treatment.

Alongside the changes in primary care, the national Ophthalmology Clinical Implementation Network and the NHS Executive are working with all health boards to support improved productivity and service redesign.