Launched on 14 October, the National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology presents a clinically-led case for a new model of eye care across Wales. College Llywydd Rhianon Reynolds, who is also National Clinical lead for Ophthalmology in Wales and a consultant ophthalmologist at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, led on the development of the strategy. Here she highlights 10 facts about the strategy that all College members should be aware of.
- It’s a blueprint for the sustainable future provision of ophthalmology services across Wales.
- The patient is central to the existence of ophthalmology services and central to the reasons they need to change.
- A government-commissioned independent report from an international expert on ophthalmic service design and delivery in 2021 (the Pyott report) highlighted several issues within secondary care services that needed further investigation and investment.
- Developing the new strategy involved identifying current points of failure and barriers to change that are contributing to the problems within secondary care ophthalmology across Wales.
- It also involved wide consultation with stakeholders. Everyone who took part was able to discuss their concerns and offer solutions in a protected open and supportive environment.
- There is an urgent need to address workforce shortages and recruitment challenges across Wales, and to increase training places.
- Every ophthalmology unit in Wales has outgrown its physical space.
- The solution involves focusing on four key themes: Clinical Networks, Pathway Transformation, Organisational Reform, Sustainable Delivery Model.
- Collaborative working with the whole multi-disciplinary team will be key to the strategy’s success.
- Delivering the strategy requires the support and leadership of Welsh Government to mandate change, and the executives of Health Boards to commit to an entirely different way of working. Without this the plan will fail.
You can see the full strategy document and the executive summary at: National Clinical Strategy for Ophthalmology – NHS Wales Executive