{"id":703,"date":"2023-05-01T16:36:26","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T15:36:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.loc-online.co.uk\/hampshire-loc\/?page_id=703"},"modified":"2026-07-22T11:08:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T10:08:48","slug":"routine-referrals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.loc-online.co.uk\/hampshire-loc\/routine-referrals\/","title":{"rendered":"Routine Referrals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Routine Referrals<\/h1>\n

IMPORTANT eRS Update: Hampshire LOC Advises Contractors Not to Make Further Committments<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n

Hampshire LOC is now advising GOS contractors against continuing with the ongoing eRS adoption that is underway in Hampshire. We appreciate this deviates from our previous communication that was issued in February.<\/p>\n

This decision aligns with the OFNC\u2019s statement that was published on\u00a0\u00a0 24 June strongly advising all LOCs and GOS contractors against making any local commitments.\u00a0 This was because important developments like eRS cannot be run as unfunded burdens on GOS as this may create an unintended patient safety risk. Their advice was to wait for the current discussions at government level to be completed.<\/p>\n

Here in Hampshire, we are in a unique position given the HIOW ICB started the rollout of eRS back in February, before it became a planned national project. Following 24 June, the LOC wanted to gain feedback from our local contractors and performers regarding their personal experiences with the current onboarding process before we issued a statement. We therefore hosted a webinar on 16 July (with the support from LOCSU and the OFNC) which provided a valuable opportunity to share experiences and discuss the ongoing challenges relating to eRS and GOS.<\/p>\n

It has become very clear to the LOC that the unfunded workload eRS has created is not sustainable for businesses. Also, the current design of eRS\u00a0is not fit\u00a0for purpose\u00a0in terms of\u00a0accessing and using the system. It\u00a0must be safe with appropriate governance and designed with optometrists in mind.<\/p>\n

Therefore, the LOC support OFNC’s statement \u201ccontractors should not at this point make any commitments to ERS until the national negotiations are complete and we know what is and what is not feasible in terms of funding \u2013 this includes transitioning from, or building upon, existing local versions of ERS.\u201d<\/p>\n

Please refer to the original\u00a0OFNC\u00a0statement\u00a0OFNC Letter re ERS 24 June 2026.pdf<\/a>\u00a0for further information.<\/p>\n

If you have any questions, please email\u00a0Chair@hampshireloc.org.uk<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n

eRS:<\/h2>\n

Feb 2026<\/strong>: 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

For further information on how to register email: england.eyecare-transformation@nhs.net<\/p>\n

Eyecare Transformation Team Guidance on using eRS: OPTOM e-RS Guidance<\/a><\/p>\n

NHS Glaucoma Referrals:<\/h2>\n

All community optometry glaucoma services delivered through OPERA were decommissioned as of 1st April 2025.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

List of local ISP providers offering NHS glaucoma services:<\/p>\n