The ICB and Primary Eyecare Services have recently issued the below request for additional information to be included within NHS cataract referrals.
The LOC would like to reassure contractors and performers that we have challenged any suggestion that practices should provide an unfunded pre-cataract assessment service. At present, the only requirement is that referral letters include a brief explanation of how the patient’s quality of life is impacted by cataracts. This is consistent with good referral practice and should already form part of routine clinical decision-making.
In many cases, a single sentence outlining the patient’s functional concerns will be sufficient.
If you receive any cataract referral rejections on the basis of insufficient information of this nature, please forward the rejection details (removing any personal identifiable information) and reason to the LOC Secretary at jennifer.smith@lmbloc.co.uk. The LOC will continue to monitor these cases closely and provide support where required, particularly in light of ongoing concerns regarding the expansion of unfunded work within GOS.
Thank you for your cooperation.
September 2026
Dear Colleague,
Following the publication of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) policy on NHS cataract referrals, all cataract referrals must include details of the patient’s quality-of-life difficulties, in line with the policy requirements.
The Eye Care Navigation Service will review referrals against the referral criteria. Referrals that do not include information about the impact of the cataract on the patient’s daily life may be returned to the referrer for further clarification before they can progress.
The ICB policy for NHS cataract referrals is available on the ICB website, here
Thank you for your continued hard work and support.
If you have any questions, please contact hello@referral.support
Kind regards,
Primary Eyecare Services
