Does the Welsh Government still intend to roll-out the outcome-focussed ophthalmic measures in September, and are health boards satisfied that preparatory work is sufficient to enable implementation?
The Welsh Government and the Planned Care Programme are supporting health boards to shadow report this new measure alongside RTT from September 2018. All health boards have been represented at a number of workshops to support development, implementation and reporting of the new measures.
Clinical engagement sessions are taking place in June and July and clinicians will be supported by appropriate documentation. Supporting guidance is being developed to ensure that evidence based patient target dates are implemented to identify the appropriate patient codes and ensure consistency across Wales.
Communication within the NHS and with patients is essential and engagement work is underway with clinical colleagues, primary care and relevant stakeholders and the public. The RNIB is leading the development of communicating the potential impact of changes to patients.