Recently, it was confirmed by Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand that one nationwide surgical threshold would be implemented across New Zealand that would allow for many more patients to access cataract surgery.
This change means an end to the regional differences in Clinical Priority Assessment Criteria (CPAC) scores that have impacted patients’ ability to access life-changing cataract surgery depending on where they live.
At Tauranga Eye Specialists we welcome this change, and we’re ready to see patients as soon as we have received instruction from Te Whatu Ora.
Our most recent communication from Te Whatu Ora and Hauora Bay of Plenty is that a working group has been formed, and we will be advised as soon as they are able regarding how the change in CPAC Threshold will be implemented.
In the meantime, we continue to see patients presented as normal under the current CPAC Threshold system and we will contact our referrers (optometrists and general practitioners) as soon as we receive further information.