HYWEL Dda Health Board is set to get some of the £4m of additional Welsh Government funding for eye care services is to be allocated, but insists that it is already making improvements at Aberystwyth’s North Road clinic.

Waiting times at the clinic have sparked concerns amongst patients and raised questions about what action the health board is taking to improve things.

Joe Teape, Hywel Dda’s deputy chief executive and director of operations, said that staff recruitment efforts were being made in an attempt to help address problems, as well as the clinic building links with other hospitals in the board area.

He said: “Currently, North Road Clinic has one full-time consultant and two full-time senior middle grade ophthalmologists. The health board recently saw the departure of a third fixed term middle grade post in August. The health board is still actively recruiting to fill current substantive consultant and middle grade posts.

“In the meantime, we have invested in technology to link with Glangwili, Withybush, Prince Philip and Amman Valley hospitals to ensure that senior consultants from across the health board can support patient care in Ceredigion. We have recently appointed three new middle grades who will be supporting clinics in Aberaeron and Cardigan once the recruitment process is complete.

“Over the last six months the health board has made improvements to patient waiting times for both outpatient appointments and treatments.

“All patients across the Hywel Dda area have equitable and prompt access to emergency out-of-hours eye care. We are monitoring and reviewing the provision of eye care within Ceredigion to ensure that a safe professional service is maintained at all times.”

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