In working hours – e-mail : ruh-tr.EmergencyEyeClinic@nhs.net (For urgent patients who might need seeing in 2-21 days. They are read within 2 hours between 8.30 – 5pm Mon-Friday. Please supply the patients home and mobile phone numbers). It is no longer possible to send Fax referrals.
Out of hours evening and W/E – Call RUH switchboard: 01225 428331 (Mon-Thurs 5pm-8pm, Fri and Sat 24hrs, Sun up to 3pm). Ask for Ophthalmology doctor on call.
Overnight and Sunday evening – Call the Bristol Eye Hospital 0117 923 0000 ONLY if the patient needs treatment before the next morning (Mon-Thurs 8pm to 8.30am, Sun 3pm-8.30 Mon am).
If patients go to general A&E, they will be assessed by the medical team there and the on-call ophthalmologist will be called if required
Wet AMD fast track pathway
In April 2007 a direct referral system was introduced at the RUH, Bath for patients with recent onset of wet AMD to enable rapid assessment of patient suitability for treatment. This referral route is only appropriate for patients that meet the following referral guidelines:-
Presenting symptoms in the affected eye – there must be a less than 3 month history of at least one of the following:
- visual loss
- spontaneously reported distortion
- onset missing patch / blurring in central vision
NB Corrected VA must be between 6/96 and 6/12 in the affected eye.
NB Note amended VA from 6/60 previously to 6/96 now due to new NICE guidelines.
Please do not refer dry AMD, patients whose VA has already dropped to below 6/96 or patients whose symptoms are not of recent onset via this route. These patients may be suitable for referral to the LVA clinic, or for visual impairment registration if appropriate.