Wales update: Championing optometry

The College continues to champion optometry in Wales, ensuring the profession remains central to discussions about the future of healthcare delivery. Recent Welsh Government commitments to reduce NHS waiting times and deliver more care in community settings closely aligns with the College's Manifesto for Wales and reinforces the important role that optometrists play in meeting patient demand. 

To support this agenda, the College attended the Optometry Wales Council meeting and AGM, where partners from across the sector discussed the future of primary eye care services and opportunities to strengthen patient access to care.

This month, the College met with Members of the Senedd, James Evans MS (Reform UK), the Shadow Cabinet Minister for Health, Prevention and Sport, as well as Dr Gwyn Williams MS and Dr Safa Elhassan MS (Plaid Cymru) who are both consultant ophthalmologists. We have also secured meetings with the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS (Plaid Cymru), and with Natasha Asghar MS (Conservative), member of the Senedd's Health and Social Care Committee who has recently been appointed Welsh Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care.

We were pleased to welcome Rukaiya Anwar MCOptom to the College's Policy Advisory Panel. Her appointment will help ensure Welsh members’ perspectives continue to inform the College's policy and influencing work. 

Wales was also represented at Optometry Tomorrow 2026 by College Council member Nkosi Yearwood MCOptom. Participation in national events helps ensure Welsh priorities are reflected in UK-wide discussions on the future of the profession and strengthens collaboration across the sector. 

The College was delighted to award David O'Sullivan OBE FCOptom a Life Fellowship in recognition of his exceptional contribution to optometry. As one of the College's highest honours, Life Fellowship recognises individuals who have demonstrated sustained and outstanding service to the profession. 

Members can support the College's work by sharing their experiences of delivering community eye care and contributing to consultations that help shape the future of the profession. 

The consultation on the fifth edition of the Guidance for Professional Practice remains open until 3 August and covers a range of important topics, including artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, myopia management, glaucoma referral pathways, infection prevention and control, and professional standards. 

The College is also continuing its work on driver vision standards and engaging with UK-wide discussions on healthcare regulation to help support patient safety, public confidence and professional excellence.