Ophthalmology Services

Inquiry5

The Health and Social Care Committee held a short inquiry into Ophthalmology Services in Wales, including consideration of:

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>>>Organisational reform and service efficiency: examining the Welsh Government's efforts to integrate primary and community care optometrists into the eye care service model, focusing on redesigning referral pathways to improve patient access, while also evaluating how government policies support health boards in making these changes and aligning leadership to drive improvements.

>>>Workforce expansion and training: reviewing the Welsh Government’s efforts to increase training capacity, expand roles for optometrists and other healthcare professionals, and evaluate the impact of the All Wales International Recruitment Programme on staffing shortages. Assess how workforce initiatives align with the National Workforce Plan and the effectiveness of investment in transforming the optometry workforce to reduce reliance on hospitals.

>>>Hospital and infrastructure improvements: reviewing the progress with upgrading hospital facilities and addressing outdated spaces, investigate delays in implementing digital systems like the ophthalmic EPR and eye care referral systems, and assess funding and outcomes for infrastructure improvements in primary and secondary care. Investigate the impact of delays implementing improved digital systems and their interoperability. Assess plans to meet growing demand in ophthalmology, including the use of telemedicine and AI tools to improve care.

>>>Clinical Networks and equal access to care: reviewing the establishment of clinical networks to ensure equal care across regions, addressing disparities in care delivery and waiting time performance. Evaluate the Welsh Government's approach to regional service and workforce distribution, and how clinical networks can improve collaboration between health boards and patient outcomes. Also, assess the effectiveness of new care pathways in prioritising high-risk patients and using community-based optometrists for non-complex cases. Finally, examine collaboration between health boards and third-sector organisations, such as the Eye Care Support Pathway, to ensure holistic patient support.

>>>Oversight and implementation: evaluating the Welsh Government’s oversight of strategy implementation, including leadership commitment at the health board level. Assess the role of Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) in accelerating IT system rollouts.. Investigate how delays and inefficiencies are being addressed, and what penalties or corrective measures are in place for missed timelines.

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Report

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>>>The Committee published its report on 28 November 2025.

>>>The Welsh Government responded to the Committee’s report on 15 January 2026.

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