Case Study: COVID-19 Urgent Eyecare Service established in record time
16 February 2021
A new LOCSU Case Study looking at how CUES was delivered in part of the West Country is now available.
In response to the pressures exerted by the pandemic on secondary care services, NHS England recommended that commissioners explore innovative ways to deliver patient services in primary care. As a result, the Bath, North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) commissioned the COVID-19 Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) with the aim to provide urgent eye care in the community and reduce numbers of patient presentations within the hospital eye services.
Acting rapidly to meet patient needs, local partners developed their accessible urgent eyecare service in just six days. An astonishing feat of efficient project management and collaboration between the CCG, Local Optical Committee and Primary Eyecare Services.
In the first six weeks of the service a total of 411 patients presented to the 29 BSW CUES provider practices and were screened for CUES eligibility. Of these, 369 were eligible and went on to receive clinical care under the urgent eyecare service.
Many patients, particularly more vulnerable patients, have been worried about attending hospital and without the CUES service these patients may not have sought help for their potentially sight-threatening symptoms.
Amy Hughes, Clinical governance and performance lead for CUES, said: “It has been so rewarding to be involved with a brand-new service right from the outset. CUES has offered patients in BSW a safe, local service for their urgent eyecare needs at a time when they have needed it most. I am so proud of what we have achieved working with a committed and forward-thinking commissioner and a network of practices who have embraced a new service and put the needs of patients at the forefront through some very challenging times.”
LOCs who wish to find out more and explore the possibility of CUES for their area should contact their LOCSU Optical Lead.
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