Primary Eyecare Services (PES) has rolled out its Eye Care Navigation Service across the North West of England.
The Eye Care Navigation Service is a digitally enabled and clinician-led referral management service that assesses patients and directs them to the most appropriate eyecare provider.
Covering a population of 7.5 million people, the service brings together a single, streamlined point of access for referrals into ophthalmology. This means patients can be assessed more quickly and directed to the right care first time, whether that’s treatment in the community or specialist hospital services.
PES, a not-for-profit NHS provider, works in partnership with local optical committees and other healthcare organisations to deliver care closer to home. By expanding Eye Care Navigation across the region, the organisation says it is “helping to reduce pressure on hospital eye services while improving patient experience”.
The Eye Care Navigation model uses digital referrals, clinically led triage and a digital patient choice system to make the journey into eyecare services faster, simpler and more convenient. Patients are supported to access the most appropriate service for their needs, improving outcomes and offering greater choice and flexibility.
Helen Haslett, clinical triage lead, said: “Delivering Eye Care Navigation across the whole North West is a huge milestone. At this scale, we have a real opportunity to transform how patients access eyecare, making it faster, simpler and more joined up. Our focus is on ensuring every patient is guided quickly to the right service, whether that’s expert care in the community or the right hospital team.”
PES added that the regional roll-out supported “national NHS ambitions to improve access, reduce waiting times and ensure patients are seen in the right place at the right time”.