Latest News from Hampshire LOC – 23 December 2022

23 December 2022

Urgent Update on referrals to Solent Medical Services

Dear Optician Colleagues

Unfortunately, we at Solent Medical Services Ophthalmology Clinic are no longer able to accept referrals by fax. We are of course, more than happy to receive your referrals either by email or by post to the following address:

Email : soccg.smsophthalmologyclinic@nhs.net

By Post
SMS Ophthalmology Clinic
Newtown Clinic
24-26 Lyon Street
Southampton
SO14 0LX

Tel: 02380 296026

We would ask that you please send a covering letter or letterhead with your referral so we can identify where it originated from. This will ensure that we write back to the correct Optician with the outcome following the patient’s appointment. If you have any queries or questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch and one of our team will be happy to help.

We would also like to take this opportunity to wish you the very best seasons greetings and we look forward to working with you in the new year.

Many thanks from the Team at the SMS Eye Clinic

OPTICAL SECTOR INFORMATION AND IT COMMITTEE STATEMENT
PATIENT SAFETY ALERT – REFERRALS FOR EYE CARE SERVICES IN ENGLAND

Please note that in some areas optical practices have incorrectly been informed that paper referrals will be rejected due to a misunderstanding about local electronic referral systems.

Rejecting referrals has the potential to put a patients’ eye or general health at risk.

The optical sector fully supports two-way IT connectivity between primary eye care and the rest of the NHS for the benefit of all patients. The sector has been calling for this for over two decades as it will improve patient care for all. It is also a key enabler for eye care transformation at all levels.

However, new processes must be implemented carefully and in a programmed way, with agreement from all parties. It is imperative that patient referrals are not delayed or overlooked as a result of misunderstandings within newly formed ICSs.

Please note nothing has yet been agreed nationally on systems, funding, or phasing out or retaining paper referrals. Paper systems currently remain in place because there is no single safe IT solution to effectively manage referrals. At this time paper referrals continue to provide an important safety net in case of IT failure and serve as a back-up to ensure patient safety.

If your practice is contacted about local plans to reject paper referrals, please email your representative body and medical malpractice insurer as soon as possible to raise this risk:

ABDO: mhalford@abdo.org.uk
AOP: PeterHampson@aop.org.uk
FODO: Alan.Tinger@fodo.com

The sector Information and IT Committee is a joint committee of the national optical representative bodies including ABDO, AOP, College of Optometrists, FODO – The Association for Eye Care Providers, OSA, LOCSU, OW, OS, ONI, PMS providers and digital manufacturers.

Research Optometry Sessions

Professor Andrew Lotery is interested to hear from any optometrist who would be interested in refracting clinical trial patients on a Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm at Southampton General Hospital?

If interested please email Professor Lotery a.j.lotery@soton.ac.uk

Non Subfoveal Geographic Atrophy  – UHS Trial

Professor Andrew Lotery is conducting a clinical trial of a new treatment for geographic atrophy and is looking for patients to be referred to his clinics to be considered for the trial.

Patients who have geographic atrophy not involving the fovea can be included. The atrophy can be 1 um off the fovea.

Any referrals should be sent to holly.bucci@nhs.net with the subject line reading, “GA Trial”.

If further information is required please email A.J.Lotery@soton.ac.uk

HIOW Health & Wellbeing

Please find HIOW wellbeing content for you to share with colleagues via the following link – here

Finally, the Chair and Management Committee of Hampshire LOC would like to send their seasonal best wishes to all colleagues across Hampshire and Isle of Wight  and wish you all well for a prosperous New Year!