Transformation of eye care services in Wales
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Transformation of eye care services in Wales; community eye care provision during COVID19 restrictions
IRAS ID
291548
Contact name
Angharad E Hobby
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Innovation Services, Cardiff University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
21/PR/0291, PR Committee
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
An ageing population, introductions of new treatments, and a significant increase in workload have significantly contributed to Welsh Ophthalmology departments managing over 320,000 outpatient attendances and 19,500 cataract operations in 2018-19 (Welsh Government, 2019). Chronic conditions glaucoma and macular degeneration are responsible for the highest amounts of sight loss in Wales. However, in November 2019 104,095 patients waiting for an outpatient ophthalmology clinic appointment in Wales were identified as R1 risk category patients (i.e. at risk of irreversible harm or significant adverse outcome if target date missed). Additionally, in 2014 1.9% of attendances at UK accident and emergency departments were attributed to ocular issues with a rise to 3.8% by 2015 (Baker, 2016. Increase in demand on already stretched services is predicted to be around 30-40% over the next 20 years.
Insufficient numbers of trainees, nurses and doctors acquiring certificates to practice ophthalmology each year means there is a significant shortfall of appropriately trained doctors to fill current and future consultant posts in Wales, compounding the problem of increased demand. However, the optometric workforce continues to increase. These practitioners are trained in ocular health assessment and many possess additional qualifications in management of ocular diseases such as glaucoma, medical retina, and also independent prescribing qualifications. Historically these practitioners have only been able to utilise them in outpatient ophthalmology clinics due to the need for expedited communication with ophthalmologists. However, technological advances now allow virtual review of information uploaded by optometrists in community practice.
Accordingly, five ophthalmology outpatient services have been piloted in community practices in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. The primary objective of this study is to examine practitioner views, and patient reported outcomes and experiences of eye care services provided in the Transforming Eye Care Services Wales project and comparison of these to equivalent existing clinical pathways.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/0291
Date of REC Opinion
12 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion