MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Health and Social Care: This statement updates Members about the
significant progress made to rollout the Digital Eye Care
programme, connecting primary and hospital-based eye care
services. By the end of this month, thanks to the hard work of
health boards, we will have achieved the digital foundations to
modernise eye care services.
The Digital Eye Care programme supports closer links between
hospital ophthalmology and primary care optometry under the Wales
General Ophthalmic Services (WGOS) framework and provides the
digital infrastructure needed to support workforce resilience,
improve patient flow and manage clinical risk appropriately.
There are two core components to the programme:
- The national electronic patient record for eye care –
OpenEyes
- The national electronic referral system – OPERAi
Together, they enable real‑time sharing of clinical information,
consistent national referral and triage processes, and the safe
expansion of WGOS levels 4 and 5 services. All health
boards have implemented both systems – including onboarding
optometrists to OPERAi – in full or in part.
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
OpenEyes: The glaucoma module has been deployed
in hospital ophthalmology clinics. It will be rolled out in other
sub-specialties by 4 May, then extended to primary care.
OPERAi: Theophthalmology process mapping work
will be completed by 6 June and the fully integrated digital
referral pathways are scheduled to be live by 25 June, subject to
final validation.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
OpenEyes: The glaucoma module is scheduled to go
live next week. It will then be rolled out to other
sub-specialties by October 2026. Timelines for the rollout to
primary care are being finalised.
OPERAi: The national pilot site for the system
and the first to use OPERAi for live referrals. They will start
from 30 March, with a fully integrated digital referral pathway
in place by 1 May.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
OpenEyes: The glaucoma module is live and it is
being extend to other sub-specialties by the end of March. It
will then be rolled out to primary care services.
OPERAi: Theophthalmology process mapping work
will be completed by 6 June and the fully integrated digital
referral pathways are scheduled to be live by 25 June, subject to
final validation.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
OpenEyes: The system is fully rolled out in all
ophthalmic subspecialties and live in primary care services.
OPERAi: The ophthalmology process mapping stage
will be completed by 4 May and fully integrated referral pathways
operational by 25 May.
Hywel Dda University Health Board
OpenEyes: It will be deployed to two hospital
sub-specialty areas from 30 March, and then rolled out more
widely by August 2026. Timelines for primary care roll-out are
being finalised.
OPERAi: The ophthalmology process mapping stage
will be completed by 4 May and fully integrated referral pathways
operational by 25 May.
Powys Teaching Health Board
OpenEyes: Preparatory work to enable the system
to be deployed in four sub-specialties in one hospital care site
has been completed and roll out will start next month. Primary
care roll out will be completed by March 2027.
OPERAi: The ophthalmology
process mapping work will be completed by 6 June and the fully
integrated digital referral pathways are scheduled to be live by
25 June, subject to final validation.
Swansea Bay University Health Board
OpenEyes: The system is live across all hospital
eye care departments and primary care roll-out is due to be
completed by 25 May.
OPERAi: The ophthalmology process mapping stage
will be completed by 4 May and fully integrated referral pathways
operational by 25 May.
