NHS Mid and South Essex ICS has reported a 34.8 per cent increase in the number of patients using its minor eye conditions online self-referral service over the past year.
The online process allows patients to self-refer and access an optometrist for a range of minor eye conditions without needing an appointment with their GP practice. Patients provide their postcode and the online service directs them to the optometry practices available to help with primary eye care.
The service is said to be “ideal for residents experiencing minor eye problems”, allowing them to get “quicker access to care.” Eye conditions covered in the self-referral system include: red eye, painful eyes, dry gritty eyes, recently occurring flashes or floaters, discharge from the eye, sudden loss of vision or ingrowing lashes.
The ICS noted the benefits of the system, highlighting “by going direct, patients get the care they need more easily while also helping free-up busy GP surgeries and hospitals”.
Clinical lead for Essex Local Optical Committee, Emma Spofforth, added: “People with minor eye problems don’t need to see their GP or go to the hospital—they can get the care they need usually much quicker, and close to home at an accredited Opticians. MECS is an NHS-funded service that helps people see the right expert quickly and conveniently.”
Digital in healthcare
In a HTN Now panel discussion from August, we were joined by Heather Young, virtual ward programme manager at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, and ChristinaPrada, virtual ward service lead at Northampton General Hospital, to discuss learnings and experiences around virtual wards. The panel shared successes and challenges in their approaches to virtual ward programmes, including around information sharing, consolidating systems, and overcoming concerns about patient safety.
Health tech company Inhealthcare recently launched a self-referral service to help NHS organisations manage the expected surge in demand for new weight loss medications. The online system validates patients against the national healthcare IT infrastructure NHS Spine and allows NHS organisations to coordinate interest from individuals seeking newly approved treatments.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust set up a new self-referral service aimed at supporting the process of getting checked for bowel cancer. It utilises cancer detection specialist C the Signs technology, where patients can check their symptoms on the platform and use an online self-referral form if required.
Late last year, health tech company Little Journey announced it had raised £6 million Series A funding, with intent to accelerate work on a global scale for its platform providing customised preparation and psychological support to hep children and families through medical journeys.
