The new annexe sets out NHS England’s further requirements for eye care. The guidance will not affect General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) other than to require direct referrals to hospital eye services (rather than via GPs). It contains positive messages about the role of primary eye care and should lead to wider roll out of extended services as well as the early implementation of Electronic Eyecare Referral Systems (EeRS) across some systems (ie CCGs merging and operating alongside NHS hospital Trusts within ICSs).
The guidance provides the key in-year planning aims/deliverables for primary eye care, together with target delivery dates. Read the guidance now, you can use it in discussions with your local commissioners. Please note, this guidance only applies to changes in England.