Written question WQ97795
- Asked by
- Sam RowlandsConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the effectiveness of using independent ophthalmology care providers to reduce waiting lists in this specialty?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
The Welsh Government has committed to reducing ophthalmology waiting times, particularly for cataract care, which saw significant delays due to the pandemic. In alignment with the National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology, a regional approach has been implemented, supported by targeted investment to address backlogs and enhance capacity through both NHS and independent providers.
Working with clinicians in line with the National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology - NHS Wales Performance and Improvement a regional approach for cataract care has been developed. This has been supported by additional Welsh Government investment to reduce the backlog in long waits. This investment has been used to provide additional capacity including use of independent care providers. This has been part of a wider plan to ensure that the NHS also uses this opportunity to increase the pace of local service redesign and productivity in delivering their core local services.
This dual approach ensures we protect and support local service provision. Additional capacity gives time for local service redesign and prioritising clinical capacity for higher clinical risk, which only secondary care can do. The overall aim being to build a more sustainable model going forward
Key initiatives include:
• Service Redesign: Health boards have streamlined cataract pathways, by reducing treatment steps and increasing efficiency.
• Capacity Expansion: improved productivity has enabled more procedures per surgical list (now averaging seven compared to five previously).
• Integrated Care: Strengthened collaboration between community optometry and hospital clinicians for pre- and post-treatment services, Welsh Government Optometry services (WGOS).
Outcomes to date:
• On track to deliver 20,000 additional cataract procedures compared to 2023/24.
• In the financial year 2024-25, 772 patient pathways shifted to community care settings. (WGOS 4 activity: 273 glaucoma and 499 medical retina)
• WGOS 5 activity (Independent prescribing) total activity for same period: 26,304 management information shows this is increasing
• Improved productivity and prioritization of high-risk cases within secondary care.
• Ophthalmology waits over two years have reduced from 9,300 March 2022 to 1,464 August 2025 84.3% improvement.