This dataset can be found in:

Ophthalmology outpatient appointments attended

Next update expected:5 May 2026

Updates

• 7th April 2026:

  New month added and revisions applied to previous data where applicable.

• 3rd March 2026:

  New month added and revisions applied to previous data where applicable.

• 3rd February 2026:

  New month added and revisions applied to previous data where applicable. During 2025, Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB, Cardiff and Vale UHB and Aneurin Bevan UHB began working collaboratively to deliver ophthalmology cataracts services on a regional basis. From December 2025, patients being seen and treated by the South East Wales regional service are reported separately as a new provider in the data. Prior to this date, these patients were reported within one of the three south east Wales health board’s data.

• 6th January 2026:

  New month added and revisions applied to previous data where applicable.

• 7th October 2025: Dataset first published.

Main information

• Designation: Management information
• Data provider: Welsh Government
• Data source: Eye care outcome measures, Monthly submission proforma
• Time period covered: April 2020 to February 2026

Overview

• Summary of dataset and variables:

  Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. This table provides data on new and follow up ophthalmology outpatient pathways waiting at the end of each month in each health board across Wales.

  The table shows, for ophthalmology pathways waiting for an outpatient appointment and are assessed as Health Risk Factor (HRF) R1:

  • the total number of pathways waiting
  • the number of pathways waiting within their individual appointment target date or within 25% beyond their target date
  • the percentage of patient pathways waiting within their appointment target date or within 25% beyond target date

  A pathway is given a HRF R1 status if, when a patient’s target data is missed, they are at risk of irreversible harm or a significant adverse outcome.

• Data collection or calculation:

  The NHS Wales Performance Division in Welsh Government receive monthly Eye Care Prioritisation Measures reporting forms from each health board. Standards relating to the forms have been reviewed and passed by the Welsh Information Standards Board (WISB) and the Welsh Information Development Group (WIDG) (previously known as the Data Standards Change Notice Sub-group).

• Statistical quality:

  The NHS Wales Performance Division in Welsh Government upload the data received monthly. The data processing system used ensures that data is not missing from the returns. Further validation and verification checks are then undertaken monthly, including, for example, checking trends in the data and any significant drops in performance against targets set. Any abnormalities in the data are noted and are raised with the relevant health board, thus enabling health board to check, correct or comment on their data and to provide contextual information where relevant.

  If a data value previously published is found to be incorrect and subsequently is corrected or has been changed to improve accuracy, an r will be added to the relevant data value in the next publication.

  Further information can be found in the related [Eye Care Measures Quality Report] (https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/statistics-and-research/2019-06/eye-care-measures-for-nhs-outpatients-quality-report.pdf)

• Rounding applied:

  Percentages rounded to 1 decimal place

• Related reports:
  • Eye Care Measures for NHS Outpatients Statistical Release
  • Eye Care Measures Quality Report

Published by

• Organisation: Welsh Government
• Contact email: hss.performance@gov.wales