North Lincolnshire CCG - Expression of Interest for the provision of Minor Eye Care Service (MECS)

Tender description

North Lincolnshire Minor Eye Care Service (MECS), which comprises of two parts. Part A - Primary Eye Care Part B - Glaucoma Referral Refinement The service (both part A & B) covers all patients aged 18 and over registered with a North Lincolnshire GP practice Part A - provides assessment and management of patients presenting with recent and significant changes of eye care conditions, or the onset of changes that may include the following (subject to final specification): • Red eye • Flashes and floaters • Blurred vision • Diplopia • Ocular pain and irritation • Dry eye • Non-penetrating foreign body • Corneal foreign body • Eye infections that have not responded to treatment • Systemic disease affecting the eye • Epiphora (watery eye) • Trichiasis (in growing eyelashes) • Differential diagnosis of lumps and bumps in the vicinity of the eye • Retinal lesions • Field defects • Lid disease i.e. blepharitis, entropion, Meibomian gland dysfunction. Where necessary follow up after 2/3 weeks from the time of assessment to consider alternative treatment advice if no improvement. Part B – provides repeat diagnostic tests for patients where an initial pressure test suggests a risk of glaucoma. This repeat testing is to confirm the risk of disease thus improve the accuracy of referrals and detect unnecessary referrals to the hospital eye service. The service will be accessed via GP referral, pharmacy referral, self-referral and referrals from other ophthalmic practitioners who do not provide this service. Overall Service Aims • To improve eye health and reduce inequalities by providing increased access to eye care treatment in the community closer to home. • To utilise the knowledge and skills of primary care ophthalmic practitioners to triage manage and prioritise patients presenting with an eye condition. • Reduce the number of unnecessary referrals into secondary care therefore releasing clinic capacity in secondary care to deal with more complex ophthalmic conditions. • To provide a more cost effective service with a greater number of patients managed within primary care setting. There is an expectation that all optometrists delivering the service to patients shall be employed or engaged by a single provider who will deal directly with the commissioner. The service provider must be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC). The Service provider will ensure that the service is provided by accredited ophthalmic optometrists registered on an ophthalmic performers list with the (GOC) or on a medical performers list, registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and must complete the WOPEC training and accreditation package.