Part of 4. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 3:58 pm on 31 January 2023.
Thanks, Minister. I'd like to ask you about plans to reduce financial help for some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in Wales towards the cost of their NHS glasses. I understand the proposal is to lower the current £39.10 contribution for children and adults on some benefits to £22. You claim the amount was agreed with the group that represents optometrists in Wales, however Optometry Wales says that, as a negotiating team, they were not in favour of supporting the changes to the voucher system proposed by the Welsh Government. Indeed, in a statement, they said the plans have caused significant concern among practitioners who are worried about the level of support patients on means-tested benefits will be able to access under the new contracts. The Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians has also expressed concerns that patients who depend on means-tested benefits will be worse off when accessing essential vision correction and warn of a significant reduction in domiciliary capacity, which will worsen eye health outcomes going forward. So, what assessment have you made, Minister, about the impact of this policy decision on the eyecare of patients, given the current economic circumstances that we're all experiencing? Thank you.