The aim of this pathway is to:
- reduce unnecessary referrals to the hospital eye service
- reduce patient anxiety and increase capacity within the overburdened hospital glaucoma clinics
- provide a more cost effective service with a greater number of patients being managed within the primary care setting
It eliminates the requirement for a visit to the GP and also provides a comparable service for people who are unable to leave their home unaccompanied but who are able to attend for surgery.
The service will be provided in the community and will be easily accessible and equitable. Widespread adoption of this pathway will remove the 'postcode lottery' of its availablilty. It will:
- provide a rapid access, high quality service to patients with cataract
- ensure equity of service including provision to housebound individuals
- reduce the total number of patient visits
- reduce the number of visits the patient makes to secondary care
- reduce waiting lists
- improve the quality of referrals
- reduce the incidence of preventable blindness due to cataract in line with the Vision 2020 strategy
- support care closer to home as expressed in the 'Our Health Our Care Our Say' White Paper
- Improve quality of life in line with World Class Commissioning vision
- provide accurate data about outcomes and patient satisfaction
LOCSU support for the pathway
LOCSU has developed a range of downloadable support for Local and Regional Optical Committees who want to introduce these pathways in their area including:
- pathway
- business case and PowerPoint presentation to support you when making the case for this pathway to Commissioners
Please click here for the Pre- and Post-operative Cataract Pathway.
Access to training support
Supporting Documentation for Pre- and Post-Operative Cataract Pathway (LOC/ROC members only)
Skills and training support for Pre- and Post-Operative Cataract Pathway
If you need additional support when preparing your approach to your local commissoner, don’t forget to contact LOCSU.