12.06.14
Lack of eye health services blamed for 270,000 avoidable A&E visits
More than 250,000 A&E visits could be avoided each year if services for minor eye conditions, such as displaced contact lenses and conjunctivitis, were made available locally, according to new analysis by the Local Optical Committees Support Unit (LOCSU).
LOCSU stated that around three in four patients who attended hospital emergency units in 2012-13 with eye conditions had non-serious conditions that could be treated elsewhere.
The analysis is supported by recent guidance from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and College of Optometrists, which concluded that the majority of people attending eye casualty have non-serious conditions.
Within the guidance, both organisations state that as many as 78.1% of cases attending eye casualty may be deemed ‘non serious’. If this is applied to A&Es across England, 273,697 of the 350,444 A&E ophthalmological attendances in 2012-13 may be ‘non serious’ and could be treated in the community.
Breaking down the data, it has been found that A&E units are under pressure from patients with minor eye health conditions including dry or red eyes, ingrowing eyelashes, displaced contact lenses and conjunctivitis.
LOCSU has recommended that Commissioners should provide services to treat minor eye conditions in high streets nationwide, to reduce pressure on hospital A&E units
Currently, across England, just 25 out of 211 Clinical Commissioning Groups fund community-based opticians and optometrists to provide Minor Eye Condition Services. These services allow people with certain conditions to be seen at local clinics, including high street optical practices, rather than going to A&E.
Examples of where local Minor Eye Conditions Services have been introduced include Somerset where 86% of cases addressed through a local service are now managed by optometrists in the community; and Stockport where more than 75% of patients seen in the community did not need to be referred on for any further care
Katrina Venerus, managing director of LOCSU, said: “At a time when A&E units are stretched to bursting point we must do everything we can to make sure hospital resources are focused on the people who need to be there.
“If commissioners fund more integrated community-based services for minor eye conditions, everyone benefits. It reduces pressure on hospital clinics, supports GPs who don’t have the time or equipment to assess eye conditions, and is more convenient for patients who can be seen in an optical practice in their local shopping centre or high street at a time that suits them.”
Today NHS England has launched a call to action, which will focus on improving eye health and the provision of NHS eye health services. The consultation will run until 12 September 2014.
It hopes that through this work it will be able to develop a more preventative approach, with early accurate detection by primary care services and effective management in the community.
Dr Mike Bewick, NHS England’s deputy medical director, said: “Preventing eye disease and promoting early detection of eye disease through improved access and uptake for routine eye tests are key components of this call to action.
“Ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate care at the most appropriate time and in the most appropriate location is also vital.”
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