Case Study Demonstrates the Success of Optometry-Led Single Point of Access Triage
3 March 2022
Primary Eyecare Services has worked with the NHS National Eyecare Recovery and Transformation Programme to produce a case study on the Single Point of Access clinical triage model.
Primary Eyecare Services has worked in partnership with the NHS National Eyecare Recovery and Transformation Programme to produce a case study on the Single Point of Access (SPoA) clinical triage model.
PES has worked in several areas alongside commissioners, trust teams and local optometrists to introduce a Single Point of Access (SPoA) that enables enhanced clinical triage for some or all Ophthalmology referrals.
In the model, all Ophthalmology referrals are either encouraged or, in some cases, mandated to be passed through the optometry-led SPoA – rejected with advice (if unnecessary) or diverted to an appropriate primary eye care service:
- Urgent eyecare pathway (such as MECS or CUES)
- Diagnostic request / OCT pathways
- Glaucoma referral filtering / refinement or monitoring
- Preoperative cataract filtering
Referrals are received and triaged through the clinically led service, delivered by the primary care workforce to provide support to their peers, promote peer discussion and behavioural change.
Lisa Gibson, PES Clinical Director said:
“One of the main benefits of a SPoA with clinical triage is to ensure the locally commissioned services deliver optimally with the number of patients managed in primary care maximised.”
It’s been found that the process drives better referral behaviours and improves relationships between optometry and the hospital eye service teams.