Will the Minister provide an update on the National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology which was due to be completed by January 2024, including whether the Welsh Government intends to allocate the funding necessary to implement the recommendations?
The National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology - to establish the blueprint for future eye care delivery in Wales - is still in development. I expect a draft interim report will be submitted by the end of March 2024 to the Welsh Government. This work is taking longer than expected. Official publication will follow a period of engagement with health boards and appropriate bodies and it is likely the strategy will be published in the summer. Further detail and reports are expected to follow at a more granular level and will include epidemiology, incidence and prevalence, demand and capacity, workforce, patient experience and service delivery models.
Recommendations from the national clinical strategy for ophthalmology will need to be assessed in light of the current financial position. Until I have reviewed the strategy and its recommendations I am unable to comment further.
At the ophthalmology summit in 2022, I was clear on my expectations that we cannot do more of the same and expect different results. The work that is being undertaken will improve eye care services. The Welsh Government continues to hold the NHS accountable against the commitment to reduce waiting times for the people of Wales and therefore reducing the risk of sight loss and irreversible harm. Health boards meet with officials on a regular basis to discuss performance and the plans in place to improve the services that they provide.
Communication between the Welsh Government, NHS Executive and health boards remains focused on pathway redesign and better utilisation of primary and community eye care services to support chronic disease management.
The essential pathway redesign will ensure that patients are seen in a clinically appropriate time and by an appropriate ophthalmic practitioner it will also free up finite capacity within a hospital setting for patients who are at the greatest risk of sight loss or harm.