Important Message Regarding Cataract Referrals in County Durham
11 September 2023
The following message is sent on behalf of your regional LOCs (Durham LOC, NTWLOC, Tees LOC, North Cumbria LOC).
Following discussions with our Integrated Care Board (which is responsible for commissioned NHS services in our area), we are clarifying the position around cataract referrals.
ALL cataract referrals in our region must route via the patient’s GP practice.
For patients with a GP in Durham:
Patients requiring referral for cataract surgery must be seen in the cataract pre-operative assessment scheme (which routes to the patient’s GP).
If you do not provide this service at your practice: you can either sign up to provide the service, or refer the patient into the cataract pre-operative scheme (either by referring to the patient’s GP or directly to a participating Optometry practice).
For patients with a GP in Northumberland and Tyne and Wear:
You should refer to the patient’s GP.
For patients with a GP in Tees:
If your practice is registered for the TARS cataract service you should continue to use this service (which informs the patient’s GP).
If your practice is not registered for the TARS service, you should refer to the patient’s GP (or refer to a willing participating Optometry practice).
For patients with a GP in North Cumbria:
You should refer to the patient’s GP.
For the avoidance of doubt, across our region: you should not refer (for cataract surgery) directly to hospitals or Independent Sector Providers (ISPs for example: SpaMedica, Optegra, Newmedica, CHEC, Nuffield, ACES).
You should be particularly cautious about directing any cataract referral to a particular treatment centre that offers an incentivised payment for performing a pre-operative cataract assessment or referral.
Please make sure that all members of your practice team (including locums) are familiar with this guidance. If you have any queries please contact your LOC for further advice.
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