New Launch Delivering Community Eye Care Services in North West London
18 March 2025
Late last year, Primary Eyecare Services was awarded a significant contract by the North West London (NWL) Integrated Care Board (ICB) to provide an optometry-led Community Eye Care Service across the entire ICB region.
The win followed a competitive procurement process and marks a major step in improving accessible eye care services for patients across North West London.
Just launched this month, the contract will initially run for a three-year term, with the option to extend for an additional two years. It aims to enhance patient care by shifting more services into community settings – an approach that directly aligns with the NHS’s wider healthcare strategy of reducing reliance on hospital-based treatment and prioritising prevention and early intervention.
The new contract delivers optometrist-led care across three main specialisms:
Community Eye Service (CES)
- CES is similar to our Minor Eye Conditions Services (MECS) in that it is a symptom- based service for patients aged 18 years and over with a recent onset eye problem, such as red eyes or a visual disturbance
- Patients triaged as eligible for the service will be seen within 24 hours if urgent and within two days for less urgent care
Cataract Referral Assessment Service
- An assessment service for patients who potentially need cataract surgery, identified at a routine sight test
- It ensures only patients who are need, want and are eligible for cataract surgery are referred for it
Glaucoma Referral Filtering Service(s)
- A pathway comprising two services which provide additional diagnostics and assessment to avoid patients being unnecessarily referred to hospital unnecessarily for suspected glaucoma
- Patients are identified as eligible at a sight test
Faster, More Accessible Treatment Across Eight Boroughs
Under the new arrangements, the Community Eye Care Service will be available to all patients registered with a North West London GP, covering the boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. By integrating services within local communities and neighbourhoods, patients stand to benefit from improved accessibility, reduced waiting times and access to timely treatment closer to home.
Our CEO Dharmesh Patel emphasised the importance of demonstrating the value of these services over the contract’s duration to ensure sustainability and future development:
“This contract is a significant milestone in delivering high-quality, community-based eye care to the people in North West London. Our goal is to provide accessible and efficient services that not only improve patient outcomes but also reduce pressure on secondary care services.”
A Shift Towards Community-Led Care
The introduction of this ICB-wide initiative reflects a wider shift in healthcare strategy, prioritising community-based services over hospital visits where possible. By leveraging the expertise of optometrists and primary care providers, we aim to deliver a more patient-centred model of care that enhances early detection and management of eye conditions.
A representative from NWL ICB commented:
“This partnership with PES aligns with our vision of integrated, patient-focused care. By offering accessible eye care services within local communities, we aim to improve early diagnosis, treatment efficiency, and overall patient satisfaction.”
Ensuring Long-Term Success
We are committed to demonstrate the impact and effectiveness of the service throughout the contract term, ensuring that the approach delivers tangible benefits. Establishing a robust data-driven evaluation process will be key to securing the long-term sustainability of community-led eye care services in North West London.