Across most of the consultation methods, there were relatively few comments on the specific options. Those that were offered are summarised below.
1.115 Across the three residents’ workshops, strong majorities expressed support for Option A. Participants believing that centralising specialist ophthalmology in this way would most effectively reduce waiting times, address staff shortages and deliver efficiencies.
1.116 By contrast, there was concern among questionnaire respondents, some resident workshop attendees, and many public and patient drop-in event/meeting attendees that Option A - which brings services together onto the fewest sites - would be most detrimental to patient accessibility, especially those living closest to Bronglais.
1.117 Questionnaire respondents favouring Option A felt this was the most logical option to make optimal use of staffing and resources.
1.119 Options B and C were preferred by minorities in the residents’ workshops as they would provide more services across the Hywel Dda area; and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board expressed a preference for these configurations as they retain services at Bronglais, maintaining equity for northern populations.
1.120 However, staff and some clinical partners expressed concern about the appropriateness of locating complex and emergency ophthalmology at Prince Philip under Option B due to the absence of a 24/7 Emergency Department and limited critical care provision there. More specifically, the proposed concentration of emergency eye care at Prince Philip raised a few questions among public and patient drop-in event/meeting attendees about where paediatric ophthalmology would sit, given that children’s services are in Glangwili.
1.121 There was also some concern that if the main service was consolidated in Prince Philip (as per Option B), this might be more challenging in travel and access terms for those in the north and west of the health board.