Written question WQ100489
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 13 days
Question
What measures will the Welsh Government take to support the Abergele Eye Unit, which will become an isolated unit in the event of any service transfer to Llandudno Hospital?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care (Mabon ap Gwynfor)
Welsh Government encourages health boards to develop sustainable, clinically led services strategies, including for eye care, which make best use of workforce, facilities and technology, and enable patients to access timely, high-quality care as close to home as possible.
The organisation and delivery of local ophthalmology services is a matter for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
We have also expanded the scope of community eye care services through the Wales General Ophthalmic Services programme. This enables a wider range of assessment, monitoring and management to take place in community settings, supports better integration between primary and secondary care, and helps reduce pressure on hospital-based ophthalmology services.
Any future service changes should be informed by local needs and developed by the health board through appropriate engagement.