Page 14 - FODO-Strategy-Document-Full-2023

Existing models of care cannot meet these changing
demographics and clinical needs, especially where these rely on Even though Getting It Right First Time and similar initiatives
unsustainable and strained outpatient models of care hamstrung across the UK have tried to fix the problems, people continue to
by chronic underfunding and capacity constraints. experience permanent sight loss due to delays in care. Each case of
sight loss caused by a delay in accessing an eye health professional
For example, waiting lists for hospital ophthalmology were already should always be recorded as a serious incident, and the root cause
under pressure before the Covid-19 pandemic. With the British should then be designed out of systems.
Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit reporting that more than In most cases, the key to tackling this will be expanding capacity
200 patients each year losing their vision because of delays in to provide more care close to home in primary eye care settings.
19
hospital care and the Health and Healthcare Safety Investigation Doing so will also help reduce pressure on GPs and hospitals and
Branch reporting around 22 patients a month suffered severe or enable them to see more complex medical patients and prevent
permanent sight loss because of delays in glaucoma care. 20
cases of sight loss while ensuring all patients get timely and local
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has also advised that access to the care they need.
backlogs in care have worsened during the pandemic, and new
models of care and investment are needed if we are going to tackle Primary eye care teams, using advanced technology, are ideally
the root causes of the challenges. placed to be the eye care ‘front door’, providing the right care in the
21
right place at the right time. They can offer new solutions to the
prevention of sight loss, hospital avoidance, and care delivery in all
communities, including those unable to leave home unaided.
The scale of ophthalmology outpatient visits

This is why FODO will support:

Ophthalmology • UK governments and all four • The use of technology and
accounts for 8% health systems to expand innovation for the benefit
of all outpatient 8.76 million enhanced primary eye care of patients.
ophthalmology
activity outpatient appointments services to meet needs, • The sector to develop and train
prevent avoidable sight loss
a year in the UK and reduce pressure on the future primary eye care
hospitals and GPs. workforce, which will deliver a
7,911,000 322,000 broader range of clinical care.
England Wales • Members who wish to provide
enhanced models of eye
Demand predicted 446,000 83,000 care where the NHS does not
commission such services.
to increase by Scotland NI
40% (between Source 22
2018 and 2038) 23

14 FODO UK The future of primary eye care – principles and priorities 15