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NoRth Yorkshire LOC Referral Information (Last Updated Sept 2025)

For urgency of referral please consult the College of Optometrists.

Please ensure that all patient contact details are correct prior to sending a referral.

Please note: Ripon and The Friarage (Northallerton) to not have facilities for emergency or urgent referrals.

For any referrals related to recent treatment, please refer patient back to surgical provider, for example cataract surgery completed HES, Newmedica, Optegra or Spamedica.

Emergency (within 24 hours)

York and Scarborough:

  • 01904 726758 – Hospital eye department & speak to triage nurse for advice. Provide patient with letter to take & any appropriate information.
  • If above phone line closed (out of hours) 01904 631313 – request operator and then On Call Ophthalmologist.
  • In emergency event where you cannot speak to triage & there is no answer from on-call send patient with referral letter direct to A&E (York does not have a walk in eye clinic service).

Harrogate:

  • 01423 542217– Triage line manned by Nurse Practitioners. Provide patient with letter to take & any appropriate information. Operates Monday-Friday 9-5 and Saturday 9-12.30.
  • If above phone line closed (out of hours), call 01423 885959, request operator and then On Call Ophthalmologist. Depending on the time this may be a Harrogate based clinician or a request to call York as above.
Urgent (to be seen within 2-4 weeks)

York and Scarborough:

  • Send referral letter via email (from NHS email) to yhs-tr.urgenteyetriageyork@nhs.net
  • Opera – can send referral direct via this platform if generated from a CECS/CUES/post cataract appointment.

Harrogate:

  • Send referral letter via email (from NHS email) to hdft.eyereferrals@nhs.net
  • Opera – can send referral direct via this platform if generated from a CECS/CUES/post cataract appointment.

Ensure patient is advised if they have not heard from HES within 4 weeks or have new symptoms to recontact practice to chase.

Routine Ophthalmology (to be seen 4+ weeks)

All routine ophthalmology referrals (other than for patients <2 years of age, glaucoma <18 years of age, all diabetic retinal screening referrals) for those registered with a North Yorkshire GP should be directed to the Referral Support Office/Choice Office.

This can be via Gateway if registered or using an NHS email to hnyicb-voy.choice@nhs.net. This includes cataract, and no specific forms are required- i.e. please use GOS 18 or equivalent.

For further information on SPoA please see LOC communications. LON collective SPoA Cataract Referral Letter Oct25. The ICB provide the following FAQ page: https://hnyppr.org.uk/web/york/w/cataracts-single-point-of-access-additional-guidance

Opera – can send referral direct via this platform to Referral Support Office if generated from a CECS/CUES/post cataract appointment.

Note: For patients <2 years of age, glaucoma <18 years of age, all diabetic retinal screening referrals these should be directed to their GP.

GP

List of GP email addresses available here:

Please email referral letter from NHS email to the GP. Please make sure letter is clear what action you would like the GP to take & justification for this e.g check HBA1c levels in suspect diabetic (identification of background diabetic retinopathy).

Please also provide patient a copy of letter if they have upcoming GP appointment.


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