Health

Eye care services ‘woefully under-resourced’

Published

1 year ago

March 21, 2025

TENS OF thousands of people at the greatest risk of irreversible sight loss are languishing on waiting lists for too long, with services woefully under-resourced, a committee heard.

The Senedd’s health committee took evidence from clinicians, charities and patients as part of a short inquiry into ophthalmology in Wales on March 20.

More than 80,000 patient “pathways” – which include those waiting for multiple treatments – were waiting too long for sight-saving treatment in January, according to the latest data.

Russell George, who chairs the health committee, asked about prevention given half of all sight loss is avoidable with early detection and timely treatment.

Ansley Workman, director of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Cymru, welcomed a new national clinical strategy but warned of a lack of commitment.

“There’s no investment, there’s no timeline,” she said: “And that timeline needs to be at pace and the reason for that is people are going blind in Wales now, so it is a matter of urgency.”

In its written evidence, RNIB Cymru voiced concerns about the lack of a significant investment and direction from ministers in Cardiff Bay.

The charity warned: “Without this, Wales’ eye care waiting lists will continue to rise as will the number of patients … needlessly losing their sight while waiting for NHS treatment.”

Ms Workman raised underreporting of the scale of harm befalling patients in Wales, with “shockingly low” reports despite 80,000 patient pathways being over their clinical target.

Senedd Members heard powerful stories from patients who shared their frightening experiences of living in constant fear of losing their sight.

Rhianon Reynolds, clinical lead for ophthalmology within the NHS Wales Executive, pointed to the development of the national strategy but warned of a lack of support to drive change.

The consultant ophthalmologist said: “We can put the blueprint in place but without investment … it’s going to be difficult to show significant change.”

Ms Reynolds, who is president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in Wales, told Senedd Members that ophthalmology is the biggest outpatient speciality in the NHS.

But she said: “We are often perceived as a small speciality because we don’t have inpatients, so … we’re often not overly prioritised in terms of how we are funded.”

Ms Reynolds warned: “In terms of consultant ophthalmologists we are woefully under-resourced in Wales right across the board. Some areas are like a desert.”

She added: “Even if we had more secondary care clinicians, we don’t have the space.”

Ms Reynolds, who works at Aneurin Bevan health board, raised “fundamental problems” with the estate, citing examples of ceilings falling in and plants growing through the walls.

On the £8.5m roll-out of the OpenEyes patient record system, which began in 2021, she explained that Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) is responsible for the project.

She told the committee: “We don’t have it across all the health boards, it’s available in Cardiff, it’s potentially being rolled out to other health boards.”

Last week, health secretary Jeremy Miles escalated intervention arrangements at DHCW due to serious concerns about its ability to deliver major programmes.

Asked if roll-out of OpenEyes is being prioritised, Ms Reynolds said: “No, I don’t think it is.”

She told the committee a digital transformation is required, saying: “It’s a huge area of frustration for us,” with services still receiving letters rather than digital referrals.

Ms Reynolds said Wales is well below the Royal College’s recommendation of 3.2 ophthalmologists per 100,000 people, with around 1.9.

“In terms of the consultant workforce, we’re extremely under-resourced,” she warned, adding that there is not a much-needed workforce plan in place.

Wales has the lowest numbers of consultant ophthalmologists of any part of the UK and, across Europe, only North Macedonia has fewer, according to the RNIB’s evidence.

Owain Mealing, chair of Optometry Wales, warned of “clunky” integration between primary optometry and hospital services, with fax machines and paper records still in use.

Andrew Pyott, a consultant ophthalmologist at NHS Highland, undertook a 2021 review on eye care services in Wales which described the situation as serious and fragile.

He said: “The biggest driver is for cataracts services, that’s what patients often see as a priority for them – many who are languishing on long waiting lists, with an impact on their daily lives because they can no longer drive or, in some cases, keep down employment.”

Asked about agreements for patients to be treated in England, he told the committee that Welsh taxpayers are effectively subsidising Bristol’s training programme.

Prof Pyott said: “It would be much better for the Welsh taxpayer to be preparing the next generation of vitreoretinal surgeons for your country.”

Health

RCN Wales appoints Nicola Williams as Executive Director

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NICOLA WILLIAMS will take up the role in April, bringing more than three decades of experience in nursing and senior leadership.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced the appointment of Nicola Williams as its new Executive Director for Wales.

She joins the organisation from Velindre University NHS Trust, where she currently serves as Executive Director for Nursing, Allied Health Professionals and Health Care Scientists. With 38 years of experience in nursing and more than six years at executive board level, she is widely recognised across NHS Wales for her work in improving patient outcomes.

A highly experienced strategic leader, Williams has worked across a wide range of clinical and organisational settings. She has led major transformation programmes, strengthened national clinical leadership networks and championed innovation and evidence-based improvements in care. Her work has contributed to changes adopted across Wales and has been recognised with national awards.

Speaking about her appointment, Nicola Williams said: “I feel privileged to be appointed as Executive Director of RCN Wales. I’m a proud nurse, passionate about patient safety and improving care standards.

“Delivering the best care is only possible when nursing staff are supported to work in safe, inclusive environments. I will stand alongside members and their patients.

“Nursing staff are the backbone of health and care. I am determined to support our members across Wales, wherever they work, to meet the challenges ahead and shape the future of our profession.

“I look forward to meeting members across Wales and ensuring our work is informed by their experiences and expertise.”

In her new role, Williams will lead the RCN’s work in Wales and provide strategic leadership across key priority areas spanning the UK.

She succeeds Helen Whyley, who has held the position since February 2019 and will move into a new role as Director of Service Innovation at the RCN.

Health

Decision pending on adult mental health referral pathway

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HYWEL DDA University Health Board will decide next week whether to make changes to the GP referral pathway for routine adult mental health services permanent.

The decision will be taken at a public Board meeting on Thursday (Mar 26).

Board members will consider a proposal to formalise changes already introduced in Ceredigion and, if approved, roll out the revised pathway across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Since March 2025, adults in Ceredigion seeking routine mental health support have been advised by their GP to contact the NHS 111 Wales ‘Press 2’ service, rather than being referred directly to the county’s Community Mental Health Team.

The temporary change was introduced in response to ongoing staffing shortages. Health Board officials say the approach has helped maintain timely access to face-to-face assessments for those who need them, while directing initial contact through a single access point.

The 111 ‘Press 2’ service provides telephone assessments by local wellbeing practitioners, supervised by registered mental health nurses, offering advice, support and onward referrals where required.

At its November 2025 meeting, the Board agreed to extend the temporary pathway until the end of March 2026. A nine-week engagement exercise followed, running from December 8 to February 9, to gather feedback from patients, professionals and stakeholders on the potential long-term impact.

Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views and experiences.

“I would also like to thank West Wales Action for Mental Health for supporting engagement with patients, including those with lived experience, alongside GPs, primary care teams, mental health staff and third sector partners.

“Our priority is to ensure mental health services remain accessible, fair and sustainable. The temporary changes in Ceredigion have shown some positive benefits, and the feedback we have received from across the three counties will play an important role in shaping the Board’s decision.”

The Board will review all evidence and feedback before making a final decision on the future of the adult mental health referral pathway.

GPs will continue to refer patients with urgent or complex needs directly to community mental health teams where appropriate, and have access to a dedicated NHS 111 professional line for additional clinical advice.

Further details, including the full Board papers, are available here:
https://biphdd.gig.cymru/amdanom-ni/eich-bwrdd-iechyd/cyfarfodydd-y-bwrdd-2026/agenda-a-phapuraur-bwrdd-26-mawrth-2026/

The meeting will be streamed live from 9:30am on Thursday (Mar 26) via:
www.youtube.com/hywelddahealthboard1

Health

Parents urged to check children’s vaccinations after meningitis cases

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Local pharmacy reports MenB vaccine shortage amid rising concern

PARENTS and carers across west Wales are being urged to check their children’s vaccination status following recent meningitis cases in the UK.

The warning comes as a local pharmacy has confirmed a shortage of the Meningitis B (MenB) vaccine, highlighting growing pressure on supplies.

Mendus Pharmacy said it currently has no availability of the vaccine due to what it described as a nationwide supply issue.

***Mendus Pharmacy: No availability of the vaccine***

In a statement, the pharmacy said: “We would like to inform our patients that, due to ongoing supply issues, we currently have no availability of the Meningitis B vaccine.

“Unfortunately, this is a nationwide shortage and all stock is currently unavailable.

“We understand this may be particularly concerning given the recent outbreak reported in Kent, and we completely appreciate the importance of timely vaccination.”

The pharmacy confirmed it is operating a waiting list and will contact patients once supplies return.

Health officials say keeping vaccinations up to date remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious illness and reduce pressure on NHS services.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board, urged parents to act.

She said: “Vaccination is one of the most effective ways we can protect children and young people from serious illness.

“Ensuring your child is fully vaccinated not only safeguards their health but also helps prevent the spread of infections within our communities.

“I strongly encourage all parents and carers to check their child’s vaccination status. If you are concerned that your child may have missed routine vaccinations, please speak to your GP.”

Meningococcal disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection that can lead to meningitis or septicaemia. While many people recover, some are left with long-term physical, neurological or psychological complications. Around one in ten cases can be fatal.

Although the disease can affect anyone, babies, young children, teenagers and young adults are at greatest risk.

In Wales, vaccines protecting against meningococcal strains A, B, C, W and Y are offered as part of the NHS immunisation programme. Infants receive the MenB vaccine, while teenagers are offered the MenACWY vaccine.

Latest figures from the Health Board show that uptake among 16-year-olds for the MenACWY vaccine stands at 76.4%, meaning a significant number of young people remain unprotected as they approach adulthood.

For younger children, uptake of the MenB vaccine is higher but still below the recommended 95% target. Around 92.8% of infants are vaccinated by their first birthday, rising slightly to 91.8% by their second.

Health officials say these figures reflect strong engagement from families and primary care teams but stress that continued vigilance is needed.

Families are being advised to check their child’s vaccination record with their GP or by contacting the Health Board directly. Parents should also ensure babies receive their scheduled MenB doses and that teenagers receive their MenACWY and 3-in-1 booster vaccines, which are currently being delivered in schools.

Parents are also urged to remain alert to the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and to seek urgent medical advice if they have concerns.

Further information on symptoms is available via NHS 111 Wales.