NHS England & Improvement are starting a major new national outpatients transformation programme from April 2020. The programme aims to achieve one of the key objectives of the NHS Long Term Plan - to reduce all face-to-face outpatients appointments by 30%. Ophthalmology will be the first outpatient speciality to be transformed.
The programme aims to improve patient experience through:
- Designing a world-class, modern service
- Better use of clinical time and physical space
- Better use of patients’ time
- Financial savings to patients and the system
- Improved clinical outcomes
- Reduction in carbon dioxide emissions (through fewer patient journeys to hospitals).
We have been involved in early discussions to inform the ophthalmology outpatients transformation programme and will continue to work closely with the team at NHS England over the next 18 months.
As part of this programme, the outpatients transformation team are undertaking work to redesign pathways for the four main eye conditions in ophthalmology outpatients – cataract, glaucoma, medical retina and urgent and emergency eye care.
They are looking for case studies (from anywhere in the UK) of novel pathways in these areas that involve primary or community care and/or technology to optimise referrals, modernise care delivery and personalise ongoing care.
The team are also looking for local systems in England who would like the outpatients transformation programme to work with them as pilot sites in these key areas (cataract, glaucoma, medical retina, and urgent and emergency eye care).
If you have a case study you are able to share or are interested in becoming a pilot site, email us.