Will the Minister state how much money has been allocated to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board as part of the investment in transforming eye-care services, and explain what measures are being taken to ensure that the health board implements the new measures by March?
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been awarded £439,724 non-recurrent funding as part of our investment towards transforming eye-care services. This investment will directly support the North Wales Eye Care Change Programme. This Programme consists of six areas of work, and is aiming to move eye-care services closer to home by ensuring patients are seen in the most appropriate setting and by the most appropriate person.
All health boards have been required to submit detailed project briefs and action plans to in advance of receiving funding. Regular progress updates against key milestones within these plans have to be submitted to the Welsh Government. Any issues or risks which will impact the deliverables as outlined in the business case must be reported immediately along with any plans to mitigate the issues.
Health boards have been working with the Welsh Government and the RNIB to ensure that they have the appropriate systems and procedures to implement the new outcome measure for eye care. Health boards have been shadow reporting against this measure since September 2018. Delivery of this measure is challenging and Welsh Government officials are working with the health board regarding delivery.
The referral to treatment target for all new eye-care referrals remains at 26 weeks.