Referral Pathways & Contacts
How to use this page: Click on your specific region below to expand the section and view the emergency, urgent, and routine clinical pathways. If you are viewing this on a mobile device, you can tap the blue buttons to call the departments directly.
⚠️ PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY
All telephone numbers and emails on this page are for professional use only. They should not be used by members of the public.
Select your work area:
Sunderland
Sunderland Eye Infirmary
Emergency Referrals
Requires a phone call to the on-call ophthalmologist to review and arrange appointments as needed at the correct urgency. All patients should be referred before attending. Do not direct patients until an appointment has been arranged.
Patients can self-refer by calling the 24/7 emergency number. A specialist will carry out a phone consultation and arrange a face-to-face review if needed.
Urgent Referrals
Email (NHS.net only) and include the patient’s telephone number on the referral. Call to notify the team of the email. This can be done via GOS18 unless advice is required sooner.
Use fax if NHS.net email is unavailable.
Wet AMD Referrals
Use the SEI Rapid Access form and email it to stsft.seiapptsteam@nhs.net (NHS.net only).
Note: Patients will be triaged remotely and contacted within 2 weeks if urgent.
Routine Referrals
Routine referrals should be sent via GOS18 with details attached.
Newcastle / Gateshead / Northumberland
Newcastle Eye Centre, RVI – NuTH
Emergency Referrals
The RVI has a walk-in service for EMERGENCY cases. A letter should be given in hand to the patient with all relevant details. A call can be made to the on-call department if advice is required prior to sending a patient.
- Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 4.30pm
- Saturday: 9.00am – 11.30am (urgent cases only)
- Additional hours: 8.15am – 4.00pm and 9:00am – 12:30pm (urgent or sight threatening conditions only)
Urgent Referrals & Clinical Queries
Clinical queries for existing patients (not new referrals):
nuth.commoptometryqueries@nhs.net
Post-op Cataract Queries:
For non-urgent post-operative cataract issues, directly refer the patient to this email address:
nuth.ophpractitionerqueries@nhs.net
Treatment Queries:
Mon–Fri (Option 1): 0191 933 0235
Mon–Fri (Option 2): 0191 933 0236
Evenings/Weekends: 0191 282 5420
Wet AMD & Vein Occlusion
Email referrals (including details of vision, history, symptoms, clinical findings, and images if available) to: tnu-tr.ophthalmologyreferrals@nhs.net
Wet AMD Forms:
Vein occlusions (no CMO):
Refer patient via GP (request GP to review patient’s cardiovascular risk factors). The Macula team aims to contact patients within 2 weeks after triage.
AMD Treatment Queries:
Mon–Fri (8:00–18:00): 0191 282 6612
Evenings/Weekends: 0191 282 5420
Routine Referrals
Routine referrals should be sent via GOS18 with details attached.
Durham / Darlington
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Emergency Referrals (Seen Immediately)
Conditions requiring immediate attention:
- Significant chemical injury
- Penetrating eye injury
- Sudden painless visual loss < 4 hours
- Possible GCA with visual loss
- Severe and acute visual loss (including acute glaucoma & post intra-ocular procedures)
Weekday (8:30am – 7:30pm) & Weekends/Bank Holidays (8:30am – 12:30pm):
Call Ophthalmology Urgent Care Centre (UCC) at DMH and email the referral.
Call UCC: 07785 276044
Email Referral
Out of Hours:
Contact the first on-call Ophthalmology via the switchboard.
Urgent Referrals (Seen Same Day or Next Day)
Conditions: Acute or deteriorating symptoms of less than one month duration.
Weekday (8:30am – 7:30pm) & Weekends/Bank Holidays (8:30am – 12:30pm):
Email the referral to the Urgent Care Centre.
Out of Hours:
Contact the first on-call Ophthalmology via the switchboard if advice is needed, or email the referral if the review of the referral can wait until the next session.
Non-Urgent Patients
Patients with non-acute symptoms should be discharged and instructed to attend their own GP or MECS (optometrist) for referral to the clinic.
Further info on NHS-funded community services:
View Full Referral Pathway PDF
- Durham LOC: secretary@durhamloc.co.uk
- Primary Eyecare Services: naomi.smith@primaryeyecare.co.uk
Routine Referrals
Routine referrals should be sent via GOS18 with details attached.
Other Services & Waiting Times
PLEASE NOTE: Extra information is available in the members area of the website.
MECS/CUES Services
NTW Area (Sunderland, Newcastle, Gateshead, Northumberland):
There are currently no MECS or CUES services commissioned in the NTW area. All non-GOS activity must be provided privately or directed via the Eye Emergency Departments.
Durham & Darlington:
A commissioned Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) is available for patients registered with a GP in County Durham or Darlington. Patients can be assessed and treated under the NHS at participating high-street practices.
Current Wait Times
The current expected wait time for routine referrals is available and updated weekly on the My Planned Care NHS website.
Retina & General Clinic Triage Guidance
Note: ERM or Macular holes should be referred to the Vitreoretinal service (via urgent/GP). These are managed by the Surgical Retina Team rather than the Medical Retina team. See the table below for guidance:
| Medical Retina | Surgical Retina (Vitreoretinal) | General Clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Retinal vascular occlusion | Macular hole/VMT | Choroidal Naevus |
| Macular degeneration | Epiretinal membrane | |
| Diabetic retinopathy/maculopathy | Retinal detachment | |
| Central serous chorioretinopathy | Abnormal PVD | |
| Retinal dystrophies | Peripheral retinal holes |