Outpatient care services

Description

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust require an Enhanced Optometry Eye Care Service. Background — The Integrated Eye Service has been designed so that patients are seen closer to home, by the right person in the right place at the right time. It is an integrated model of eye care services, with partnership working between the Hospital Eye Service (e.g. Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists and nursing staff) and the provider (e.g. Optometrists). The provider will deliver eye care for minor and less complex eye conditions, working to agreed protocols and standards, within the integrated eye service. Delivery of care will be across East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen, with a geographical spread and sufficient capacity to meet local demand. East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust require an Enhanced Optometry Eye Care Service. Background — The Integrated Eye Service has been designed so that patients are seen closer to home, by the right person in the right place at the right time. It is an integrated model of eye care services, with partnership working between the Hospital Eye Service (e.g. Ophthalmologists, Orthoptists and nursing staff) and the provider (e.g. Optometrists). The provider will deliver eye care for minor and less complex eye conditions, working to agreed protocols and standards, within the integrated eye service. Delivery of care will be across East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen, with a geographical spread and sufficient capacity to meet local demand. Pathways have been designed to optimise an efficient and effective patient journey to ensure that only patients who would benefit from a higher level of expertise are seen by the Hospital Eye Service (HES). The rest will be managed by the provider and in particular the provider is expected to be able to offer the following: Cataract care — cataract screening and identification of need, to determine —— clinical appropriateness, —— fit to progress to cataract surgical assessment, —— agreement with a cataract surgical care plan. — post cataract surgery follow up —— 4 week post op review for uneventful cataract surgery. IOP referral refinement — repeat pressures and visual field tests Ocular Hypertension/Glaucoma suspect management — monitor elevated intra-ocular pressure/glaucoma suspect, — manage OHT/glaucoma suspect, in accordance with the protocol. Low vision Service — low vision equipment for those with poor vision, — assessment and provision, in line with protocol. Minor eye conditions These will include watery eye, in-growing lashes/Trichiasis, superficial foreign body, blepharitis, dry eye, Red eye (normal vision; no pain), flashes and floaters, Chalazion/Hordeolum. For these conditions, the provider is expected to undertake the following minor eye condition management in primary care: — initial assessment, diagnosis and clinical management strategies, — reassurance and patient education, — patient specific treatment, as clinically appropriate, — advice on eye health.