1.112 Across all activities, the Health Board’s ophthalmology staff were widely praised for their professionalism and care. However, the current service was consistently described as fragmented and overstretched, with long waits, repeated cancellations, lack of post-treatment follow-up, poor administration and communication, and outdated infrastructure seen as core challenges that any new model must address.
1.113 Staff shortages - including among consultants, orthoptists, optometrists and specialist nurses - were widely recognised as the root cause of these issues. Specifically, staff noted that recruitment and retention are particularly difficult in rural locations, and they broadly agreed that centralisation could strengthen the service, provided it is underpinned by realistic workforce planning and fit-for-purpose facilities.
1.114 Improving waiting times was the highest priority for service users and residents across the consultation methods, many of whom saw efficiencies from consolidating services as key to restoring performance. However, others were unconvinced that centralised models would deliver the improvements required without significant investment in staffing, transport, equipment, and administration; and many emphasised that routine care - such as eye injections - and follow-up must remain local.