Delivering the Vision conference

Delivering the Vision

Background

In 2002 the Department of Health established the National Eye Care Steering Group with representatives from all relevant groups. The primary function of the group was to promote and advance modernisation of NHS Eyecare Services. The NHS Eyecare Services Programme concentrated on national facilitation and co-ordination for the testing and development of eyecare pathways for four eye conditions: age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, glaucoma and low vision. The first report of the National Eye Care Steering Group was published in April 2004. The pathways detailed the development of integrated eye care services across primary and secondary care and social services, with improved effective use of professional resources, and better and more straightforward care for all sectors of the community. This in turn would lead to a high standard of clinical care with good and measurable outcomes.

The suggested NHS Eyecare Pathways were subsequently tested and evaluated initially at eight pilot and four associate pilot sites, for the three chronic eye conditions namely AMD, Glaucoma and Low Vision. All pilots had Primary Care Trust involvement. This was expanded into further plant and nurture sites and followed by further implementation sites. The evaluation of the initial pilots was completed at the end of 2006, with a major conference, entitled Delivering the Vision, to release the evaluation at the beginning of 2007. The event showcased findings from the pilot stage of the NHS Eyecare Services Programme and revealed how joint working can benefit patients and providers alike.

Outcomes

The Delivering the Vision conference saw the release of the Recommended Standards for Low Vision, which were commissioned by the Department of Health. To view the standards please visit the NHS Eyecare Services Evaluation webpage.

In August 2005, the Department of Health initiated and consequently conducted a review of the current system of General Ophthalmic Services (GOS). All the major stakeholders were invited to participate. In January 2007 the outcome of the GOS review was a commissioning toolkit for community based eye care services. This toolkit included advice for primary care trusts and practice based commissioners and developed further on the outcomes and the work of the Eye Care Services Steering Group. The commissioning toolkit describes the connection between good visual health and good general health, and the importance of building on existing programmes. It also detailed the fundamental messages from the Eyecare Pathways. The latter sections of the toolkit detailed how eyecare services should be commissioned and the relevance of practice based commissioning, the role of the third sector and practical issues that may arise.

NHS Primary Care Contracting has published a review of local examples of community eyecare services, which complements and sits alongside the Department of Health Commissioning Toolkit. Access the review of local examples online.

Further information

• NHS Services Eyecare Services Programme website.
• GOS Review and the toolkit

Content author: webeditor@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13