10 March 2023

Update: Over eights transfer to local optometry

Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health, has confirmed that the HSE will advance the transfer of care for children of eight years old and over to local optometrists.

Responding to a question in the Dail, the minister said: "Sixty per cent of existing outpatient activity could be moved to primary care". The move would have a positive impact on hospital waiting lists, according to the 2017 report of the HSE primary eye care services review group. Since the report's publication, there has been little progress to transfer over eights. However, the minister said a project team is "progressing matters in relation to this initiative".

The minister's statement, given on 15 February, follows significant media coverage of FODO's calls to increase access to local optometry, particularly for children, to help reduce patient waiting times and relieve pressure in hospitals.

Dan Hodgson, FODO's Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: "It has been a long time coming, with the recommendation made in 2017, but we hope the transfer of children aged eight and over to local optometrists will finally happen this year. We're glad the minister has heard our calls and the HSE is now doing something about it. Once implemented, the reduced pressure on eye care services in hospitals, and the reduced waiting time for many patients, should follow swiftly."

Read the minister's comments in full.