Routine Referrals
eRS:
Feb 2026: NHS England with the support of Hampshire and Isle of Wight (HIOW) ICB are pleased to announce the rollout of the Electronic Referral Service (eRS) across the Optometry sector in HIOW.
The NHS e-Referral Service (eRS) is a digital platform that facilitates the electronic referral of patients to various healthcare services. In terms of optometry, it will allow optometrists to refer patients directly to hospital eye departments and/or independent sector providers rather than having to refer via the GP.
eRS will work alongside any Single Point of Access (SPOA) referral model which already exists in the region. eRS works alongside any existing referral pathways that currently exist and is for routine and urgent referrals (not emergencies).
Optometrists currently using a passkey to access eRS can just have the additional access added to their Care Identity Management (CIM) profile. Optometrists new to eRS will be able to set up an MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) or a passkey to access eRS from the self-service link they will receive.
The Registration Authority (RA) assurance process will be funded and supported by the National Eyecare Transformation team. The National Eyecare team will also be providing training on how to use eRS.
This is being implemented to all Optometry providers in your region and full rollout should be completed in 3-4 months depending on the progress of the RA process. Presently this is not a mandated referral pathway, but an opportunity to enable optometrists to refer directly to the HES.
For further information on how to register email: england.eyecare-transformation@nhs.net
Eyecare Transformation Team Guidance on using eRS: OPTOM e-RS Guidance
NHS Glaucoma Referrals:
All community optometry glaucoma services delivered through OPERA were decommissioned as of 1st April 2025.
NHS glaucoma services are via the Trust hospitals or ISPs (Independent Sector Providers) commissioned by HIOW ICB. All ISPs accept direct referrals via eRS. The LOC recommend discussing how best to make referrals with your local ISP, particularly if you do not have access to eRS. An alternative option remains a routine referral via the GP.
List of local ISP providers offering NHS glaucoma services:
- ACES Southampton
- AlphaSight Southampton
- CHEC Basingstoke
- NewMedica Whiteley
- PPG Portsmouth
- PPG Southampton
- SpaMedica Southampton
- SpaMedica Portsmouth
PLEASE NOTE:
Repeat Pressures and/or Visual Fields are not part of GOS and any further investigation requires referral for Ophthalmological opinion within a hospital setting. Imaging, including OCT is not mandatory in referrals.
Please alert the LOC to any referral rejections requesting Repeat Pressures, Visual Fields or Imaging. The LOC can be contacted via email – manager@hampshireloc.org.uk
LOC suggested commentary when rejecting requests for additional data, such as repeat IOP, Visual Fields or Imaging as part of a glaucoma suspect referral – here
NHS YAG Laser Capsulotomies Referral:
Routine referral via the GP. However some ISPs will accept referrals for NHS YAG laser capsulotomies. Again, the LOC recommend discussing this directly with your local ISP as it varies among providers.
Routine Referrals By Region:
Southampton
Send to the patient’s GP – allow at least four weeks for a patient to receive an appointment letter before checking on the status of their referral, should this be necessary – call patient services centre 023 81 205009
Please note that the Outpatient Administration Centre (formally known as patient services centre) deals with eye appointments for Lymington, Hythe and Romsey Hospitals as well as UHS (also known as ‘the General’)
University Hospital Southampton admin:
Email address oacophthalmologyoutpatients@uhs.nhs.uk
Telephone – 023 8120 1429
Please note Solent Medical Services (SMS) are no longer accepting NHS referrals. (March 2025)
Isle of Wight
Please refer directly using email: iownt.ophth-referrals@nhs.net (ask for a read receipt on any e-referrals to confirm action) if possible. Alternatively refer via the GP
Portsmouth & SE Hampshire
Refer to the patient’s GP
West Hampshire
Refer to the patient’s GP
Basingstoke and Mid Hampshire
Refer to the patient’s GP