Written question WQ100286

The Welsh Government is committed to improving access to ophthalmology services and reducing waiting times through the development of sustainable regional diagnostic and surgical capacity. Ophthalmology has been identified as a priority specialty within the wider programme to develop surgical and diagnostic hubs across Wales, recognising the significant demand for assessment, surveillance and treatment services.

The recent £145 million investment in NHS Wales includes £25 million to support additional surgical and diagnostic capacity. As part of this work, regional solutions are being considered to ensure patients can access timely, high-quality ophthalmology services while making the best use of available workforce, facilities and clinical expertise.

The Welsh Government has established an independent NHS Wales Elective Care Task and Finish Group, chaired by an experienced external clinical leader, to provide expert advice on the future configuration of surgical and diagnostic hubs across Wales. The group's membership includes clinical leaders from a range of specialties, including ophthalmology, and it has been specifically tasked with making evidence-based recommendations on the location, configuration and delivery of future elective care and diagnostic hub services. It includes in its membership the National Clinical lead for Ophthalmology.

The Group is independent of Government decision-making and is considering demand, capacity, workforce, access, infrastructure and clinical sustainability across Wales. This includes consideration of ophthalmology services and the role of regional diagnostic and treatment centres.

The Group will report its recommendations to Welsh Ministers by December 2026, including advice on the preferred locations and configurations of future elective care hubs and the integration of diagnostic services. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to pre-empt the outcome of that work or any recommendations the Group may make regarding specific locations, including Swansea.

In developing its recommendations, the Group will draw on clinical expertise from across Wales, including ophthalmology clinicians and operational leaders, as part of its evidence-gathering and engagement activities. Welsh Government will consider the Group's recommendations once its final report has been submitted.