AQW 50493/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) any plans to improve recurrent capacity in ophthalmology; and (ii) the amount of the 2026-27 elective care funding that will be spent on this.
Asked by Nuala McAllister MLA on 3 July 2026
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 3 July 2026
- Answer due by
- 22 July 2026
- Answered
- 22 July 202619 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Ophthalmology is a high demand specialty and one particularly susceptible to demographic growth and pressures. As we age, we are more prone to be impacted by age-related eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataract and macular degeneration some of which are long-term conditions requiring lifelong review and monitoring, and some require time-critical assessment and treatment.
In recognition of this, my Elective Care Framework (ECF) has identified funding to improve recurrent capacity in ophthalmology. A recent investment in hospital ophthalmology services has been allocated to build capacity to sustainably deal with time-critical ophthalmology outpatients, assessments and treatments.
To date £3.5m has been allocated recurrently from the £85m available within ECF for red flag and time critical capacity building. This investment will allow the hospital ophthalmology to increase a combined 24,551 additional outpatient appointments, 1,512 pre-assessment appointments, and 270 additional theatre cases (glaucoma and vitreo-retinal). The investment will expand the workforce by an additional 42.29 WTE posts inclusive of consultants, SAS doctors, optometrists, specialist nurses, orthoptists, imaging technicians, a pharmacist, a counsellor and admin support staff.
In addition, following my announcement on 1 July 2026 around my £80m plan to boost elective care, I was pleased to earmark capacity building for routine ophthalmology and backlog clearance as a priority within that package. The £80m will realise targeted investment during 2026/27 in ophthalmology, as well as diagnostic imaging and cancer services.
Although the specific quantum of ophthalmology from the £80m fund will be subject to the normal approvals, officials are currently working with Trusts around the associated business cases, and the ophthalmology investment will be proportionate with prioritised clinical need.