We have been alerted to instances where routine referrals from community optometrists into ophthalmology have been redirected back to the optometrist, with the expectation that they can refer directly to secondary care. This is not currently possible in West Sussex.
Current position:
- There is no commissioned pathway for optometrists to make routine ophthalmology referrals directly into secondary care.
- Optometrists can only refer directly where a specific service exists, such as cataract pathways, two-week-wait referrals or urgent/same-day routes.
- All other routine referrals from community optometry must continue to be processed by the patient’s GP via eRS.
- Until the commissioners establish a single-point-of-access or alternative model, the above remains the only safe and approved route.
Next steps:
We are discussing this collaboratively with West Sussex LOC and will raise the lack of a routine pathway with the ICB. Practices will be updated as soon as there is a clearer commissioning position.
If you receive queries from patients or community optometrists, please continue to process routine referrals in the usual way.