A new primary eyecare service has commenced in Greater Manchester to expedite the referral of non-emergency patients.
Commissioned by Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board (GM ICB) and provided by Primary Eyecare Services (PES), the Greater Manchester Eye Care Navigation Service is intended to act as a single point of access for all non-emergency ophthalmology referrals from local optometry practices across the region.
Routine and urgent referrals will be handled through the new service, with referrals reviewed within 24 to 48 hours. A digital portal and a support helpline enables patients to choose providers based on location, waiting times and quality rating.
All referrals are handled electronically, while commissioners benefit from detailed data and insights to help improve services. The system provides reports on performance, health inequalities and referral trends, making it easier to plan and manage demand.
The launch is the result of a collaboration between GM ICB, PES, hospital providers and local optical committees.
It builds on successful implementations in other regions, where some 34,000 referrals have been analysed with almost 22 per cent of referrals safely diverted to primary and community eyecare services, said PES.