Wye Valley NHS Trust

Ophthalmology

Nov 3 2026: Changes to urgent eye care services in Herefordshire and Powys

People across Herefordshire and Powys with urgent eye problems will soon be able to access specialist care closer to home, as urgent eye care services move from Hereford County Hospital to a network of local optometry practices.

From November 3, Hereford County Hospital’s walk-in urgent eye care provision will transfer to community optometrists as part of the expansion of the Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) in England and Welsh Eyecare Service (WECS), making it quicker and more convenient for many patients to receive expert assessment and treatment.

The Community Urgent Eyecare Service – which was first rolled out across England and Wales several years ago - provides FREE urgent assessment and treatment for a range of eye problems through a bookable appointment.  Appointments are available to book at CUES/WECS across Herefordshire and Powys, including market towns, with varying opening days and times.  

Tom Morgan-Jones, deputy chief medical officer at Wye Valley NHS Trust said: “The expansion of the Community Urgent Eyecare Services CUES and WECS provided at local optometrists has enabled us to transfer the hospital’s urgent eye care walk in service to locations across Herefordshire and Powys. This will make it easier for people to access this service closer to home and avoid unnecessary hospital attendances. 

“If you have a recent onset or urgent eye problem, such as a sudden change in vision, flashes or floaters, minor eye injuries, eye pain/soreness including minor injuries, please phone your local Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) or for Powys contact WECS optometrists. This service is free of charge and does not need to be with your regular optometrist.

“CUES/WECS optometrists will provide either self-care advice over the phone, a remote/in-person consultation, prescribed medication, or a direct referral to a hospital eye service if needed. If you have serious eye injury or need medical attention in an emergency, you should call NHS 111 or attend your local Emergency Department.”

CUES/WECS provides urgent assessment and treatment for a range of sudden or urgent eye problems, including:

• sudden changes in your vision
• flashes or floaters
• minor eye injuries
• Eye pain / soreness including when caused by minor injuries
• other recent onset eye problems

To find your nearest CUES providers in England visit www.primaryeyecare.co.uk and search for the accredited optometry practice in your area.

To find your nearest WECS provider in Powys visit www.wyevalley.nhs.uk (search ophthalmology)

Victoria Eye Unit at The County Hospital

The Victoria Eye Unit offers a wide range of ophthalmic services, covering all areas of general ophthalmology, including cataract surgery.

Specialist Clinics

We provide specialised clinics for:

• Glaucoma

• Retinal and Macular Disorders (including Vitreoretinal surgery)

• Squint (in both adults and children)

• Paediatric Ophthalmology

• Thyroid Eye Disease

• Eyelid Disorders

• Inflammatory eye disease
  
  
• Cornea and external disease

The department is equipped with state-of-the-art digital photographic and laser imaging equipment, all connected throughout the hospital.

Eye Unit – Emergencies

If you have an urgent eye problem, follow the guidance below:

Call an Optometrist from the lists below, stating you need a Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) or for Powys area it is the Wales General Ophthalmic Service (WGOS) appointment, and explain the reason why. Availability will vary, and you may need to call more than one practice to get an appointment.

• Community Urgent Eyecare Service - practice finder website (CUES) - enter your location on their website page to find a service near you.
  
  
• Powys Optometrists in Wales contact details (WGOS)
   

If you feel your eye condition is a genuine emergency, please present to the Emergency Department at Hereford County Hospital

Eye Clinic Liaison Officer for Herefordshire (ECLO)

Hereford County Hospital has a dedicated RNIB Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO), Olivia Kerr, who can provide advice and support for anyone affected by sight loss on topics such as:

• Maintaining your independence
• Equipment, Reading Aids, and Technology
• Eye condition and treatment understanding
• Access to education, employment, and leisure advice
• Benefits and concessions that you may be entitled to
• Support while waiting for your appointment/surgery

Olivia can be contacted at 07702820890 or 01432 355444 ext. 1765, or via email Olivia.Kerr@nhs.net

For more information, visit the RNIB’s Sight Loss Advice Service Website.

Ophthalmic Operating Theatre

The Eye Unit has a dedicated ophthalmic operating theatre where a variety of surgeries are performed, including cataract surgery using small-incision phacoemulsification, usually under local anaesthetic.

We have a referral scheme that allows Optometrists to refer cataract patients directly to the Eye Unit. We also support operating facilities in Llandrindod and Brecon.

Our patients

We serve the population of Herefordshire and surrounding counties in both England and Wales. Peripheral eye clinics are held in various locations including Bromyard, Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye, Ludlow, Leominster, Kington, Knighton, Monmouth, Brecon, and Llandrindod Wells.

Outline of the department

Seven consultant ophthalmic surgeons are supported by middle-grade and junior ophthalmologists and a team of specialist nurses. The Orthoptic Department offers ocular motility assessments and vision screening services for both children and adults across Herefordshire and community hospitals.

Each year, more than 30,000 patients visit the Eye Unit, and over 1,900 ophthalmic operations are carried out.

Links with other departments

We have excellent links with community optometry practices in Herefordshire and beyond, including Powys, Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Gwent and Worcestershire.

Links with other services

• Herefordshire and Worcestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme
• All Wales Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme
• Low Vision Scheme: Provides Low Vision Assessments and advice for the visually impaired, with services offered by opticians in Hereford, Ledbury, Bromyard, Kington, and Ross-On-Wye.
• We also work closely with Herefordshire Vision Links (visionlinks.co.uk) and the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford (rnc.ac.uk).
• We have excellent Optometry links with community practices in Herefordshire, Powys, Shropshire, Gwent, and Worcestershire.

Charitable Donations

The Eye Unit has a long-standing charitable fund that was started 30 years ago by Mr and Mrs Peebles and continued by Mr Bill Foster, raising over £300,000 in 17 years. The funds have helped provide modern equipment, benefiting patients directly.