Single Point of Access (SPoA) Pilot
On the 13th December 2023 West Yorkshire’s Eye Care Accelerated Programme launched a pilot Single Point of Access (SPoA) to manage referrals for Cataract.
Nationally, this has been a directive to get patients seen correctly in the right place at the right time.
Optometry has been well placed to do that with cataracts and has done it well on the whole. However, attention is drawn to patients who may not have been given a choice of provider or correctly signposted to the correct provider if they had additional requirements.
Prior to the pilot there was discussions between NHS West Yorkshire ICB and local LOC’s raising potential pitfalls both for the patient and optometry. NHS WYICB gave reassurances to the LOC that the points raised were taken on board.
It is recognised both by the ICB and the LOC that this is a work in progress and modifications and adjustments are expected in the rollout.
SPoA referrals are made via the EyeV platform which can be accesssed here.
If you do not have access to EyeV or are having difficulties you can still refer in the usual manner for now.
Any feedback or concerns are welcome, please email leedsloc@gmail.com
West Yorkshire Single Point of Access Cataract Referral Scheme
West Yorkshire SPoA cataract referral form here.
Cataract Scheme Protocol
The pathway is for patients who require and would like cataract surgery.
- Patients must be given an explanation of cataract and cataract surgery, and must receive the cataract leaflet.
- Only patients who are willing to go ahead with surgery should be referred on this pathway.
- The referral can be completed directly onto EyeV or the WY SPoA cataract referral form can be attached to the EyeV referral.
Remuneration, data submissions, claims and contract information can be found in the Members section.
Cataract Portal
A cataract portal is now available enabling you to enter post-op refraction data online.
Discharge letters from Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust will be sent out with a unique pin identifier for each patient.
To be included in the scheme each practice has to sign up with their NHS email, the registration process is explained in by Tim Hunter from LTHT.