A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am berfformiad mesurau gofal llygaid Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda?
For most ophthalmology patients, the start of treatment is only the first part of their required care. Regular ongoing review, additional and ongoing treatment will be required to ensure the outcome of improved sight and reduced risk of avoidable blindness is achieved. Clinical evidence suggests approximately 10% of new patients are at risk of irreversible sight loss compared to up to 90% of follow-up patients.
Following a clinically-led review I introduced a new eye care measure that combines both new and follow up patients. Wales is the first country in the UK to introduce a target to ensure that those patients requiring on-going follow up care are seen in a timely manner.
Formal reporting against this new measure in April 2019. When introducing the new measure, I was aware that performance would be challenging and would fluctuate for a number of months before sustainable improvements were noted. In order to support health boards with implementation of the measures, a sustainability fund of £3.3 million was made available to health boards to implement optimum pathways and establish community led services.
There has been a dip in performance against the eye care measure at Hywel Dda University Health Board since reporting commenced. This was expected whilst the health board implements the necessary changes in the services that they provide for patients to be seen within clinical safe times. The patients being prioritised are those at the highest risk. As the eye care sustainability projects within Hywel Dda University Health Board are implemented and start to have an impact, I expect the monthly performance figures to improve significantly. The Welsh Government is working closely with the health board to make sure performance improves and that patients with the greatest risk of irreversible damage are treated as a priority.