27 April 2023
A consultation on changes to primary care ophthalmic services in Wales has opened for responses.
The Welsh Government hopes that the consultation will help to guide an increased scope for eye care services in Wales, it said.
The consultation document adds that it will “enable a new system-wide approach for the delivery of ophthalmic services by NHS Wales.”
In the long-term, it is hoped that the changes to eye care services will help to strengthen the support and clinical care that optometrists can give to patients, improve ongoing treatment and care closer to home and in the community, and ensure optometry services in Wales are fit for the future, the document states.
The AOP is strongly encouraging members to respond to the consultation, and will also respond to the proposals with, and on behalf of ,members in Wales.
The association will also be encouraging other interested bodies to join in its response.
Adam Sampson, AOP chief executive, said that it is essential that members get involved in the upcoming activity.
“The Welsh Government consultation maps out proposals for fundamental changes in the way that primary eye care services are provided in Wales. It is therefore vital that members actively engage with the issues raised by the consultation,” he said.
“We will be engaging with members directly across all the key strands of the consultation in order to exert maximum influence on the proposals. In particular, we will want to scrutinise how the proposed new system-wide approach will impact patient voucher values, especially for those more vulnerable groups, and how our members in small independent practice and providing domiciliary services will be impacted by these changes.
Sampson added: “We have already raised concerns about the implications of these and will look for some robust answers from Welsh Government to ensure continuity of eye healthcare in Wales and the best possible service for patients.”
Responses to the consultation can be submitted online, or by emailing or posting a response form to the Primary Care Division - Audiology and Ophthalmic Policy Branch of the Welsh Government.
Registrants are advised to read the consultation document before submitting responses.
Members with questions should email the AOP policy team.
The consultation will close on 19 June.
Comments (2)
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BRwales02 May 2023
I agree that consultation is needed and agree you are right there isn't good evidence about whether people want it. Also, that finding out everyone thinks is a really good thing. However, this press release only has a negative tone. It should have either been impartial until the AOP knows what it's members think. Or, it should have had a balance of positive and negative comments. It feels like we are being led with negative comments. As if the AOP has made it' mind up.
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BRwales27 April 2023
I am extremely disappointed by the negative tone of this press release. This represents a really exciting change for optometrists in Wales, extending their scope of practice. We have all worked so hard for this over many years. For most it will also increase their income. Whilst not everyone will be happy with all of what is proposed, overall most practitioners are really keen. That really is not reflected in this negative press release. What a shame.
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