28.04.2020 - OW Collaborative working

Y Grŵp Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol
Health and Social Services Group
Email address
Date / Dydiadd: Tuesday 28 April 2020
To: Lisa Gerson, Chair of Optometry Wales
Cc: Sali Davis, Shiraz Megji
Dear Lisa,
Optometry Wales Collaborative Working Arrangements
Optometry Wales, as the professional umbrella organisation for the primary eye care
profession, representing all community optometrists, opticians and dispensing
opticians, across Wales, is considered a key partner for the Welsh Government.
Since its inception, Optometry Wales Chair and Chief Executive have worked in
collaboration with the Welsh Government, the Welsh Optometric Committee and
NHS Wales to support development, implementation and delivery of eye care policy
across Wales. The Chair and Chief Executive roles have been invaluable in
enhancing relationships with hospital eye departments, more notably, building firm
relationships with our ophthalmology colleagues. Underpinning Optometry Wales
collaborative approach is their strong partnership working with Health Education and
Improvement Wales and the Third Sector.
The ongoing work of Optometry Wales across all boundaries has supported and
developed cross cutting work streams, aligning to the Welsh Governments ‘A
Healthier Wales’ and the Sensory Branch ‘Eye Care Delivery Plan’. Optometry
Wales’ approach has ensured consistent national agreement to develop policies and
improve patient outcomes across Wales.
Sali Davis, Chief Executive, Optometry Wales, has been a ‘constant’ throughout the
process, playing a pivotal role in ensuring services are developed through
partnership working. In such a varied and demanding role, Sali manages her time to
seek opportunities to do this, whilst balancing a wide range of stakeholder agendas
on a daily basis and in more recent weeks, on an hourly basis. Sali has been
instrumental in developing policy to improve services for patients and the Welsh
Government Head of Sensory Branch considers Sali’s involvement in the whole
process to be fundamental in moving the profession forward as a key NHS Wales
stakeholder.

As you are aware, there is a divergence in Wales eye care policy to those developed
in the other UK nations. Managing this divergence in policies, whilst monitoring the
planned and unplanned College of Optometry Guidance and Royal College of
Ophthalmology Guidance, is not an easy task; however, Sali has embraced these
challenges with unwavering professionalism.
NHS Wales is currently facing the most testing time in its more than 70-year
history. As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, Optometry Wales share the
pressures and challenges of the pandemic with other professional colleagues and
continues, with the Welsh Government to navigate through these unchartered
waters. As a single point of contact for the profession, Sali has been a key player,
supporting NHS Wales, the Welsh Government, Third Sector and others to develop
national guidance for the profession to continue to work in these difficult
circumstances.
It is extremely helpful for the Welsh Government to have a single point of contact for
the optometric profession in Wales. The strong working relationship that exist
between Optometry Wales Chief Executive and the Welsh Government has been
central to the decision making process. Sali has not been afraid of making difficult
decisions in relation to properly directing the business and this has been vital in a
fast moving environment. Communicating directly with 795 optometrists across
Wales would be untenable.
As you are aware, disseminating consistent information and key messages is a
priority for the Welsh Government Sensory Branch. The role of Optometry Wales
Chief Executive includes Chairing the Welsh Governments national Sensory
Communication Advisory Group. To date, Sali has worked hard to bring together,
the communications leads from across the seven health boards and Third Sector to
work with eye care and audiology professionals. Sali has ensured the
Communications Group advises the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and other key
stakeholders on key strategic communications messages for both the public and
healthcare professions. Mindful of the conflicting priorities across the sector, Sali has
continued to take the initiative to work with the Welsh Government Sensory Branch
to develop key messages and national guidance.
Since 2017, I have personally worked closely with Sali and the knowledge she has
built up over the past ten years has been invaluable in helping to inform decisions
across the whole sector. My role has been enhanced by Sali’s consistent approach
to challenges, particularly during the current Coronavirus pandemic.
As we move into the next phase of recovery, more conversations will be needed to
make swift decisions. This phase will again present new challenges for us to
overcome, and it is important to ensure these conversations are happening now.
Rydym yn croesawu derbyn gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg. Byddwn yn ateb gohebiaeth a dderbynnir yn Gymraeg yn Gymraeg ac ni
fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn arwain at oedi.
We welcome receiving correspondence in Welsh. Any correspondence received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and
corresponding in Welsh will not lead to a delay in responding.
Parc Cathays ● Cathays Park
Caerdydd ● Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Gwefan ● website:
www.llyw.cymru
www.gov.wales

On a strategic level, I will continue to work with Sali to look ahead to support
upskilling the profession to make improvements for eye care provision nationally
across Wales. In the longer term, I will look forward to Sali’s continued support to
scope, develop, implement and deliver primary care optometry contract reform
across Wales. On behalf of the profession, Sali’s leadership will be essential to
ensure networking with the Regional Optical Committees continues to be
strengthened to achieve our overall joint aims and objectives.
I am extremely grateful for the strong working relationship with Optometry Wales,
specifically, the ongoing engagement with the Chairman and Chief Executive and I
would like to take this opportunity thank Optometry Wales for their continued support
at this difficult time.
Yours sincerely,
David O’Sullivan
Chief Optometric Adviser / Prif Optometrig Ymgynghorol
Swyddfa'r Prif Swyddog Meddygol / Office of the Chief Medical Officer
Directorate of Health Policy / Cyfarwyddiaeth Polisi Iechyd
Department for Health and Social Services / Yr Adran Iechydm a Gwasanaethau
Cymdeithasol
Welsh Government / Llywodraeth Cymru
Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ / Parc Cathays, Caerdydd CF10 3NQ
Rydym yn croesawu derbyn gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg. Byddwn yn ateb gohebiaeth a dderbynnir yn Gymraeg yn Gymraeg ac ni
fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn arwain at oedi.
We welcome receiving correspondence in Welsh. Any correspondence received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and
corresponding in Welsh will not lead to a delay in responding.
Parc Cathays ● Cathays Park
Caerdydd ● Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Gwefan ● website:
www.llyw.cymru
www.gov.wales