Following reports in the media over the weekend, it is clear that the Department of Health are looking to accelerate their long-publicised intention to discontinue fax machines for the purpose of making referrals.
The Optical Confederation and LOCSU have been making the case for a number of years that optical practices in England need secure connectivity for referrals, rather than relying on fax machines. The issue has always been that optical practices sit outside of the Health and Social Care Network and that significant investment would be needed in order to prepare for, and facilitate, referral via non-fax means.