44334 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

44334 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What actions, if any, have been taken in the quarter (January to March 2024) to implement the recommendation ‘Monitor and evaluate the outcomes of the pilots that are increasing Ophthalmic capacity’ as part of Te Whatu Ora Planned Care Taskforce Reset and Restore Plan?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during the January to March 2024 quarter, work continued on how best to ensure equal access to cataract surgery, including implementation of a cataract assessment and surgery pathway based on previous pilots. In addition, work on an ophthalmology clinical pathway and models of care was begun by the Eye Healthcare Network, which is evaluating models of care that have been piloted. I am further advised that further development of this work is underway, specifically to develop purchase unit codes to recognise the work of Optometrists and Orthoptists in Ophthalmology clinical pathways.