Emergency same day referrals are accepted by BMEC

Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre (BMEC), City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH

BMEC would like all referrals made to them to be via the Cinapsis EeRS platform wherever possible. (NB CUES referrals are an exception to this). More information on EeRS here

To determine if the condition you are referring for is an emergency, please see the College of Optometrists guide to urgency of referrals

For true emergencies, complete a referral on Cinapsis on the BMEC emergency pathway and then send patient straight to BMEC with a paper copy of the referral.

BMEC is open:
Monday to Saturday 9:00-19:00 hours
Sunday and Bank Holidays 9:00-18:00 hours

Outside of these hours contact BMEC switchboard on 0121 507 4440, ask for 2nd on call ophthalmologist. If unanswered leave a message and direct patient to A&E, which is now located at the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, Grove Ln, Smethwick B66 2QT

For other suspected emergencies, complete a referral on Cinapsis on the BMEC emergency pathways and ask patient to attend BMEC within 24 hours. BMEC is open Monday to Saturday 9:00-19:00 hours Sunday and Bank Holidays 9:00-18:00 hours. Outside of these hours ask the patient to attend the next morning.

For urgent cases, see this page

The Solihull information pack has additional information on which conditions warrant an urgent referral to BMEC

If you are unable to use EeRS, BMEC has a single contact number 0121 507 4440 with a decision tree to enable your call to be directed appropriately and BMEC report it is manned 9-4 Mon to Sat. The triage nurse will discuss with you whether the patient should be sent immediately or next day and an appointment time will be offered to the patient.

Outside of these hours please call 0121 507 6779

If you are unable to get through and you feel that the patient care cannot be delayed then in extreme need you can call 0121 553 1831 and ask for on call ophthalmologist.

You should give the patient a short written referral letter for them to present on arrival in the eye casualty department. Send a report of your actions to their GP.