Dear Optician Colleagues<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, we at Solent Medical Services Ophthalmology Clinic are\u00a0no longer able to accept referrals by fax<\/strong>. We are of course, more than happy to receive your referrals either by email or by post to the following address:<\/p>\n Email :\u00a0soccg.smsophthalmologyclinic@nhs.net<\/a><\/p>\n By Post Tel: 02380 296026<\/p>\n We would ask that you please send a covering letter or letterhead with your referral so we can identify where it originated from. This will ensure that we write back to the correct Optician with the outcome following the patient\u2019s appointment. If you have any queries or questions please don\u2019t hesitate to get in touch and one of our team will be happy to help.<\/p>\n We would also like to take this opportunity to wish you the very best seasons greetings and we look forward to working with you in the new year.<\/p>\n Many thanks from the Team at the SMS Eye Clinic<\/p>\n Please note that in some areas optical practices have incorrectly been informed that paper referrals will be rejected due to a misunderstanding about local electronic referral systems.<\/p>\n Rejecting referrals has the potential to put a patients\u2019 eye or general health at risk.<\/p>\n The optical sector fully supports two-way IT connectivity between primary eye care and the rest of the NHS for the benefit of all patients. The sector has been calling for this for over two decades as it will improve patient care for all. It is also a key enabler for eye care transformation at all levels.<\/p>\n However, new processes must be implemented carefully and in a programmed way, with agreement from all parties. It is imperative that patient referrals are not delayed or overlooked as a result of misunderstandings within newly formed ICSs.<\/p>\n Please note nothing has yet been agreed nationally on systems, funding, or phasing out or retaining paper referrals. Paper systems currently remain in place because there is no single safe IT solution to effectively manage referrals. At this time paper referrals continue to provide an important safety net in case of IT failure and serve as a back-up to ensure patient safety.<\/p>\n If your practice is contacted about local plans to reject paper referrals, please email your representative body and medical malpractice insurer as soon as possible to raise this risk:<\/p>\n ABDO: mhalford@abdo.org.uk<\/a> The sector Information and IT Committee is a joint committee of the national optical representative bodies including ABDO, AOP, College of Optometrists, FODO \u2013 The Association for Eye Care Providers, OSA, LOCSU, OW, OS, ONI, PMS providers and digital manufacturers.<\/p>\n Professor Andrew Lotery is interested to hear from any optometrist\u00a0who would be interested in refracting clinical trial patients on a Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm at Southampton General Hospital?<\/p>\n If interested please email Professor Lotery a.j.lotery@soton.ac.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Professor Andrew Lotery is conducting a clinical trial of a new treatment for geographic atrophy and is looking for patients to be referred to his clinics to be considered for the trial.<\/p>\n Patients who have geographic atrophy not involving the fovea can be included. The atrophy can be 1 um off the fovea.<\/p>\n Any referrals should be sent to\u00a0holly.bucci@nhs.net<\/a> with the subject line reading, “GA Trial”.<\/p>\n If further information is required please email A.J.Lotery@soton.ac.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Please find HIOW wellbeing content for you to share with colleagues via the following link – here<\/a><\/p>\n Urgent Update on referrals to Solent Medical Services Dear Optician Colleagues Unfortunately, we at Solent Medical Services Ophthalmology Clinic are\u00a0no longer able to accept referrals by fax. We are of course, more than happy to receive your referrals either by email or by post to the following address: Email :\u00a0soccg.smsophthalmologyclinic@nhs.net By Post SMS Ophthalmology Clinic … <\/p>\n
\nSMS Ophthalmology Clinic
\nNewtown Clinic
\n24-26 Lyon Street
\nSouthampton
\nSO14 0LX<\/p>\nOPTICAL SECTOR INFORMATION AND IT COMMITTEE STATEMENT
\nPATIENT SAFETY ALERT – REFERRALS FOR EYE CARE SERVICES IN ENGLAND<\/h2>\n
\nAOP: PeterHampson@aop.org.uk<\/a>
\nFODO: Alan.Tinger@fodo.com<\/a><\/p>\nResearch Optometry Sessions<\/h2>\n
Non Subfoveal Geographic Atrophy\u00a0 – UHS Trial<\/h2>\n
HIOW Health & Wellbeing<\/h2>\n
Finally, the Chair and Management Committee of Hampshire LOC would like to send their seasonal best wishes to all colleagues across Hampshire and Isle of Wight \u00a0and wish you all well for a prosperous New Year!<\/strong><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"