Sheffield Minor Eye Care Service (MECS)
Single Point of Access
Referral form to SPA by email – sth.spa@nhs.net
or by post to
SPA,
Top Floor,
Community House
Vickers Corridor
Northern General Hospital,
Sheffield,
S5 7AU.
To check receipt – 0114 226 6566
Pathway information
1. GOS18 received at SPA and triaged by PEARS Optometrist. Results of triage are faxed back to SPA and action taken on outcomes:
a. Referral to secondary care – actioned by SPA. Original Optometrist should have offered choice at the point a referral was decided.
b. Referral into PEARS – SPA contact the patient and offer choice of PEARS Optometrist.
c. Referral to GP if the condition is medical not ocular
2. The patient is seen by the PEARS Optometrist who completes a report form and sends to the GP via the practice generic mailbox.
3. The following outcomes are possible:
• Referral to secondary care – SPA will offer choice
• Referral to the patient’s GP where appropriate
• Referral to an accredited PEARS Provider – SPA will offer choice
• Referral to a Glaucoma Referral Refinement (GRR) Provider – SPA will offer choice
4. If the outcome is referral the PEARS Optometrist will refer directly to secondary care. SPA will notify the GP practice.
Inclusion Criteria
- Flashes and Floaters
- Headaches
- Non – specific visual blur / reduced vision
- Red eye ( unless you consider symptoms extreme requiring emergency referral )
- Chronic dry/irritable eye
- Any condition not specified below
Exclusion Criteria
- Patient is under 4 years old
- Cataracts – direct referral to secondary care
- Glaucoma – direct referral to secondary care
- Diabetic retinopathy – separate screening system
- Severe (requiring surgery ) Ectropion, Entropion, Chalazion
- Ocular emergencies including:
– Blunt/sharp trauma
– Post-operative infection
– Severe pain especially with associated vision loss
Website for more detail