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In order to reduce variation in referrals and ensure patients receive high quality and timely care, the CCGs, Devon LOC and NHS England have been working together to agree a Devon wide referral standard. This letter outlines the standard including the benefits of implementation; it is proposed that this standard will be implemented from Monday 19th June 2017.
Ophthalmology is a huge growth area for the NHS, specifically referrals from ophthalmic practitioners. Many of these are as a result of work carried out in practice as part of the General Ophthalmic Services Contract (GOS), but a growing number are carried out privately and are not subject to the GOS. Currently there is limited guidance on what should be included in a GOS referral, although this is still rather grey and there is no guidance or standard for private referrals into the NHS.
The significant variation in quality of referrals, the information contained within them and the lack of understanding between NHS providers, primarily between primary and secondary care creates issues within the system, I believe this would be easily resolved through agreement of a county wide minimum referral standard.
The standard would be accompanied by information on the constraints within the system to ensure mutual understanding between all parties. This would ensure that secondary care is aware of constraints within ophthalmic practices under the GOS. A prime example of this being the limitations on frequency of GOS sight tests, now being more rigorously enforced by NHS England, but often not understood by Secondary care providers.
For the County standard to work, all parties involved must mutually agree to it.
The following organisations have signed up to the standard:
It is recognised that no single party is able to enforce the usage of a single referral form and that all Opticians practices are free under contract to refer using any of the following (but not limited too):
Although it is encouraged that referrals are made using the DRSS referral form, the standard this document proposes is based on a minimum information set and not on format.
It is agreed that the following information should be supplied as a minimum for any ophthalmic referral from any optician in Devon, with the associated exceptions.
*if appropriate for the referral reason
Practices who consistently fail to meet this agreed standard are liable to have their referrals returned.
Clinics and additions: if appropriate
If you have any questions about your referral please contact Drss.helpdesk@nhs.net
This guideline has been signed off by:
John Finn Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Planned Care and Programmes) NHS Devon CCG
Max Halford Chairman, Devon LOC
Janet Newport Contract Manager, Optometry NHS England
Publication date: November 2021