Routine Ophthalmology Referrals
EyeV is now the preferred electronic platform for submitting routine referrals, except for wet AMD cases.
EyeV
A new electronic referral pathway EyeV was launched in Leeds in May 2023.
This new platform has been set up to allow referrals to be tracked and for optometrists to be able to review the progression of the referral status.
More information on how to use the EyeV platform can be found here.
SPoA referrals for cataract is done through EyeV. More information regarding SPoA can be found here.
Non-urgent referrals can now also be sent to the new Leeds ‘AQP’ Community Ophthalmology providers (preferably through EyeV or NHS.net if they are not listed on EyeV). GPs can access this service through the electronic E-Refer service, currently unavailable to optometry practices.
Urgent referrals should not be sent to the GP – see urgent ophthalmology referrals .
NHS mail
NHS mail will continue to accept referrals from other sources and optometry practices outside West Yorkshire. It can also be used in very extreme scenarios like outages.
Leeds Community Ophthalmology (AQP) Service
Leeds has an adult NHS community ophthalmology service which has been commissioned in 2015 with ‘Any Qualified Provider’ (AQP) contracts.
This allows patients to be seen outside of a hospital setting, closer to home, with reduced waiting times for for non urgent conditions.
A number of different providers are eligible to offer services and all have signed up to a Consultant Led Ophthalmic Delivery Network (CLODN) to ensure uniform level of service and standards of care across the city. The services are delivered by multi-disciplinary teams of clinicians including suitably qualified optometrists and are all led by a consultant ophthalmologist.
Providers are listed on E-Refer (previously Choose and Book) for referrals from GPs, but optometrists can refer direct to the service of choice.
Contact details for all current providers and further details about the service are available here.