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14 July 2023 - FODO
While direct referral from optometrists to ophthalmology is common in other areas of the UK, the fragmented commissioning system in England has meant that parts of the country still use outdated models of care such as commissioners requiring optometrists and DOs to refer to ophthalmology via a GP. So, to drive modernisation, in this year's planning guidance, NHS England prioritised implementing direct referral in eye care.
In the latest announcement from Moorfields, a new streamlined referral pathway across eyecare services in North Central London is being implemented across Moorfields, the Royal Free, the Whittington and North Middlesex hospitals, with optometrists sending referrals direct to a single point of access to route patients to their preferred ophthalmology provider and shorten waiting times.
This is one of many models being developed across England including through the use of accelerator funding to meet local circumstances.
FODO continues to track these developments and would very much like to hear more from AOCs, LOCs and ROCs across the UK about your innovative pathways and improvements to local services, especially where these reduce the risk of sight loss due to delays in hospital access. If you have examples to showcase, please email [email protected].
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