Any patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of wet AMD should be seen by a CUES practice in the first instance for triaging and OCT – if you are not registered for CUES please see the CUES tab for information on how to find a practice.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is involved in the management and treatment of wet AMD. In order for referrals to be accurately processed they should be sent urgently via eERS on Opera. This will ensure that referrals for wet AMD are standardised & trackable to prevent delay.
If you are unable to use Opera or refer into CUES, please use this wet AMD referral form. Practitioners are asked to use NHS.net email for referrals and flag the email as high priority.
Please note that any co-pathology (e.g. glaucoma) should be referred separately.
All routine referrals for patients with a Blackpool, Fylde or Wyre GP should be sent to the ICB’s Single Point of Access (SPA) team via Opera.
Please follow the new triage guidance below from 7th April 2025 and remember that with ‘routine’ you should assume it will be up to 3 months before the patient is seen so for anything more urgent not listed below you should follow the urgent/emergency pathway.
Click here to download a copy of the table
If you are unable to use Opera please use this Ophthalmology Referral Template in preference to any other format (eg. GOS18) and email to the SPA team, in pdf, word or jpeg format, using an NHS.net account. You will receive a confirmation email to indicate your referral is being processed or a return email advising the referral needs amending and resending.
Use of the above template is strongly recommended. It will assist the process of uploading the referrals to the NHS Electronic Referral System (eRS). Using different formats will slow down processing and increase opportunities for error and omissions. If you are unable to use the template, please ensure all the information requested is included in your referral.
NHS Numbers significantly improve speed and accuracy of referral processing, making it safer for our patients. While optical practices do not currently routinely collect NHS numbers, including them in the referral makes an enormous difference.
- www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number – will instantly text the NHS number to a mobile phone
Please consider if your practice could collect and record NHS numbers as part of patient registration or booking procedures.
Referrals will be rejected if they are incomplete. The ICB and SPA wish to work with optical practices to implement a safe and efficient system. Please be aware that it may be necessary to reject referrals if insufficient information is provided to enable accurate processing.
Please do not hesitate to call 01253 201878 (Mon-Fri 9am-1pm), email fw.ccg@nhs.net or email the SPA Team blackpool.fyldecoastspateam@nhs.net should you require further information on this service.
**Emergency referrals should be sent to Blackpool Teaching Hospitals via Opera AFTER ringing the doctor on-call, the emergency endpoint is found under URGENT on opera**
Please follow the new triage guidance below from 7th April 2025
Click here to download a copy of the table
All urgent (within 2 weeks) referrals for patients with a Blackpool, Fylde or Wyre GP should be sent to the ICB’s Single Point of Access (SPA) team.
- for 2 week wait suspected cancer referrals follow the wet AMD pathway on Opera or email bfwh.eyesecretaries@nhs.net
If you are unable to use Opera please use this Ophthalmology Referral Template in preference to any other format (eg. GOS18) and email to the SPA team , in pdf, word or jpeg format, using an NHS.net account. You will receive a confirmation email to indicate your referral is being processed or a return email advising the referral needs amending and resending.
Use of the above template is strongly recommended. It will assist the process of uploading the referrals to the NHS Electronic Referral System (eRS). Using different formats will slow down processing and increase opportunities for error and omissions. If you are unable to use the template, please ensure all the information requested is included in your referral.
NHS Numbers significantly improve speed and accuracy of referral processing, making it safer for our patients. While optical practices do not currently routinely collect NHS numbers, including them in the referral makes an enormous difference.
- www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number – will instantly text the NHS number to a mobile phone
Please consider if your practice could collect and record NHS numbers as part of patient registration or booking procedures.
Referrals will be rejected if they are incomplete. The ICB and SPA wish to work with optical practices to implement a safe and efficient system. Please be aware that it may be necessary to reject referrals if insufficient information is provided to enable accurate processing.
Please do not hesitate to call 01253 201878 (Mon-Fri 9am-1pm), email fw.ccg@nhs.net or email the SPA Team blackpool.fyldecoastspateam@nhs.net should you require further information on this service.
Cataract Referrals
All cataract referrals for patients with a Blackpool, Fylde or Wyre GP should be sent to the ICB’s Single Point of Access (SPA) team via Opera.
If you are unable to use Opera please use this Ophthalmology Referral Template in preference to any other format (eg. GOS18) and email to the SPA team, in pdf, word or jpeg format, using an NHS.net account. You will receive a confirmation email to indicate your referral is being processed or a return email advising the referral needs amending and resending.
Use of the above template is strongly recommended. It will assist the process of uploading the referrals to the NHS Electronic Referral System (eRS). Using different formats will slow down processing and increase opportunities for error and omissions. If you are unable to use the template, please ensure all the information requested is included in your referral.
Patient Choice regarding surgical providers for cataract surgery will take place with the SPA team and is recorded for audit purposes. Please do not have the choice discussion with the patient or note a preferred provider on the referral form.
NHS Numbers significantly improve speed and accuracy of referral processing, making it safer for our patients. While optical practices do not currently routinely collect NHS numbers, including them in the referral makes an enormous difference.
- www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number – will instantly text the NHS number to a mobile phone
Please consider if your practice could collect and record NHS numbers as part of patient registration or booking procedures.
Referrals will be rejected if they are incomplete. The ICB and SPA wish to work with optical practices to implement a safe and efficient system. Please be aware that it may be necessary to reject referrals if insufficient information is provided to enable accurate processing.
Please do not hesitate to call 01253 201878 (Mon-Fri 9am-1pm), email fw.ccg@nhs.net or email the SPA Team blackpool.fyldecoastspateam@nhs.net should you require further information on this service.
Post Cataract Service
Practitioners accredited with Primary Eyecare Services can provide post operative cataract checks on Opera for all patients registered with a Lancashire & South Cumbria GP.
Post op cataract service specification: Here
Please Note:
- A GOS sight test fee can be claimed for both the 1st and 2nd eyes. In the rare event a patient is under 60 and not eligible for a GOS sight test then only the post cat fee can be claimed – practices must not charge these patients for a sight test as service must be free at the point of access.
- Practices cannot add post cat patients to opera themselves. If the patient is not visible on your Opera dashboard, use the blue chat bubble in the first instance to ensure the surgical provider has referred to the correct practice. If Primary Eyecare confirm the patient has not been added by the surgical provider, the practice will need to contact the provider to add them before arranging an appointment using the details below.
Blackpool Teaching Hospital
University Hospital Morecambe Bay
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals
iSight
Fulwood Hall
SpaMedica
CHEC
Optegra
East Lancashire Hospitals
Excel Lampitco (Ophthalmology) Excel.Lampitco@elht.nhs.uk,
Olivia Hanna (Bank Nursing) Olivia.Hanna@elht.nhs.uk,
Hannah White (Ophthalmology Day Case) Hannah.White@elht.nhs.uk,
Jason Goinden (Ophthalmology) Jason.Goinden@elht.nhs.ukNB: Practices must send the request from an NHS.net account when sending patient identifiable data.Opera help & support for cataract services can be found here
CHEC
Dedicated Practitioner phoneline: 01772 958404. This helpline is for clinicians only.
Urgent queries (24h emergency careline): 0344 264 4162. This helpline is for Patients.
Contact centre is available on: 0344 264 4160. This number is for the referral, booking and patient transport team. Open Monday – Friday 8am to 6pm, and Saturday 8am to 4pm.
SpaMedica
Urgent Queries (On call clinical team available 24/7): 0330 058 4280 – 24hr/365 days helpline for patients & optometrists .
Contact Centre also available on – 0330 058 4280 – 8am to 6pm for Referral Team, Booking Team, Transport Team & Post-op Team.
Community Urgent Eyecare Services
Practitioners accredited with Primary Eyecare Services can provide CUES using the Opera Platform for any patient registered with a Lancashire & South Cumbria GP.
CUES enables patients to be seen in community optical practice for urgent assessment of acute ocular presentations, thereby reducing the burden on the hospital eye service.
Presenting conditions will typically include :-
- Acute visual changes – flashes and floaters, visual distortion, sudden or transient vision loss/reduction, field loss, and diplopia.
- Ocular discomfort – painful, red, sore, sticky, watery, itchy, dry, or irritated eye(s) or eyelid(s).
- Abrasions and foreign bodies – known history of low velocity, non-penetrating, and nonchemical injury.
- Other presentations requiring urgent clinical investigation but not suitable for GOS and not appropriate for eye casualty.
CUES is not optimal for the following presentations:
- Sudden and sustained loss of vision, or vision loss with malaise
- Chemical or high velocity/penetrating eye injuries
- Post-operative complications from recent eye surgery
- Sudden onset diplopia
- Headaches with no visual symptoms
Patients should be redirected to a more appropriate setting unless,
- they have already been redirected into CUES from elsewhere.
- they are unable to access alternatives within suitable timescale.
CUES service specification: Here
Opera help & support for CUES can be found here
Please Note:
- There are no age restrictions for CUES
- Please can all CUES practices ensure that they triage CUES patients and add them to OPERA, then look to find an appointment in the system for the patient by ringing round alternative practices. The triaged episode can then be sent on to the practice which will examine the patient.
- OCT can only be claimed for patients with a sudden drop in vision with central distortion and not for any other presentations.
- The CUES fee includes covers for follow ups for same condition for up to 3 months.
Non-accredited practices should use the find a practice site to refer any patient presenting with symptoms suggestive of an urgent eye condition to a nearby participating CUES practice. Please ring the practice first to check for availability.
FIND A PRACTICE
A list of accredited optical practices currently providing the service is available on the Primary Eyecare Website using the ‘Find a Practice’ tool. This shows the most up to date information.
Glaucoma Repeat Readings (GRR)
Practitioners accredited with Primary Eyecare Services (Wopec Glaucoma Level 1) can provide GRR using the Opera Platform for any patient registered with a Lancashire & South Cumbria GP.
GRR service specification: Here
Non participating practices should refer patients with raised IOP and/or suspicious visual fields (but normal optic discs) to an accredited practice on opera by selecting:- primary care services-> GRR -> select accredited practice.
Glaucoma Enhanced Case Finding (GECF/GRRS)
Practitioners accredited with Primary Eyecare Services (Wopec Glaucoma Level 2 or higher) can provide GECF/GRRS using the Opera Platform for any patient registered with a Lancashire & South Cumbria GP.
Practices accredited to do GECF cannot provide GRR and should process all episodes as GECF.
GECF/GRRS service specification: Here
Non participating practices should refer patients with raised IOP and/or suspicious visual fields and/or suspicious optic discs to an accredited practice on opera by selecting:- primary care services-> GECF/GRRS -> select accredited practice.
For practices not on Opera please consider onboarding, otherwise, contact an accredited practice then send a GOS18 referral to them via NHS.net, confirming receipt. PLEASE DO NOT TELL PATIENTS TO RING ROUND OR JUST TURN UP. You can find local accredited practices by emailing hello@referrals.support.
Website: https://www.blackpoolteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/services/orthoptic-department
Information on the hospital policy for glasses repair and replacement guidance can be found here https://www.blackpoolteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/services/orthoptic-department/other-professionals
Click for Top 10 Orthoptic Tips
Hydroxychloroquine Retinal Monitoring
The RCOphth guidelines¹ regarding retinal monitoring for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy were updated again in December 2020 and no longer recommend baseline ‘screening’.
It is for the drug prescriber, commonly a Rheumatologist, Dermatologist or GP, to determine the patient’s risk and refer to the local ophthalmology department for HCQ monitoring.The need for referral is based on the following:
- Duration of treatment
- Low risk patients require monitoring after 5 years
- High risk patients require monitoring after 1 year
- High risk factors:
- Dose >5mg per kg
- Concomitant tamoxifen use
- Reduced eGFR (less than 60ml/min)
- Taking chloroquine
Local Medical Retina teams need all the information above in any referral. The LOC recommends that Optometrists who consider their patients need to be referred for monitoring write to the drug prescriber requesting consideration of the above clinical detail. If the Optometrist feels that a direct referral is more appropriate it would be helpful to establish that a referral has not already been made by another clinician (eg GP) in order to avoid duplication.
HCQ monitoring in the HES does not replace regular sight testing and will not assess for any other pathology. Refer via the usual channels for all other conditions.Local hospital optometry colleagues may be able to assist with queries: Drew Thompson (BVH Lead)
¹Royal College of Ophthalmologists Guidance https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2020/12/Hydroxychloroquine-and-Chloroquine-Retinopathy-Monitoring-Guideline.pdf
- Duration of treatment
The service should be available to anyone who is recognised by their GP as having a mild, moderate or severe learning disability who are on a local learning disability register. The patient must be registered with a GP practice in the Lancashire and South Cumbria area, or be a Lancashire & South Cumbria resident and not registered with a GP anywhere.
This commissioned service is a service with reasonable adjustments for someone who would not be able to use a standard eye test.
This includes:
- pre-appointment visits,
- completion of a functional vision assessment if needed,
- longer appointment time with an accredited practitioner in learning disabilities and autism
- feedback forms completed by the optometrist.
The results of the examination are reported using the agreed appropriate format. WOPEC accreditation is required to provide this service.
The orthoptist team at Blackpool Victoria Hospital are keen to support optometrists and can be contacted at bfwh.orthoptics@nhs.net
Easy Eyecare service specification: Here
Opera help & support for Easy Eyecare can be found here
FIND A PRACTICE
A list of accredited optical practices currently providing the service is available on the Primary Eyecare Website using the ‘Find a Practice’ tool. This shows the most up to date information.
If you require any further information or have any queries regarding the service, please contact Primary Eyecare Services on hello@referral.support and a member of the team will be in touch.
Practitioners accredited with Primary Eyecare Services (Wopec Low Vision) can provide this service using the Opera Platform for any patient registered with a Lancashire & South Cumbria GP.
Patients may be referred in by another optical practitioner, GP, Hospital Eye Service (HES), social services, third sector etc or may self-refer.
Low Vision service specification: Here
Opera help & support for Low Vision can be found here
FIND A PRACTICE
A list of accredited optical practices currently providing the service is available on the Primary Eyecare Website using the ‘Find a Practice’ tool. This shows the most up to date information.
If you require any further information or have any queries regarding the service, please contact Primary Eyecare Services on hello@referral.support and a member of the team will be in touch.
The following page details the Low Vision, ECLO, Voluntary and Statutory services available in Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre.
None of these resources require someone to be registered Sight Impaired / Severely Sight Impaired in order to receive assistance.
Low Vision Service: A clinically informed evaluation of the impact of sight loss on an individual and identification of a variety of strategies to meet the resulting challenges. Making best use of remaining vision using magnifiers, lighting, visual aids, and sight training strategies.
Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO): The link between primary and secondary care clinical services and non-clinical support services for people with sight loss. ECLO’s provide emotional support, practical advice, impartial information, guidance, and advocacy and connect with other community resources.
Local Council: Statutory support and rehabilitation via Rehabilitation Officers for the Visually Impaired (ROVIs).
Voluntary & Community Organisations: Charities and other groups that provide a wide range of support services.
N-Vision Low Vision Centre
Bosworth Place
Squires Gate
Blackpool
FY4 1SHPhone: 01253 362696
Community Services Manager: Maria Kirkland
Email: maria@nvision-nw.co.ukStaff
- Brian Casey (Low Vision Practitioner, Low Vision Assessments & Technology)
- Stephanie Beasley (Low Vision Practitioner & Low Vision Assessments)
Referrals accepted by phone.
ECLO
N-Vision and Blackpool Victoria Hospital, FY3 8NR.
- Linda Sethi
Email: Linda.sethi@nvision-nw.co.uk or linda.sethi@nhs.net
Local Voluntary/Community
- N-Vision. Website: nvision-nw.co.uk
- The Princess Alexandra Care Home: dedicated care and support for visually impaired people. Tel: 01253 403091
- Care Givers Service: high quality specialist home support that encourages independence and wellbeing. Tel: 01253 362685/403091
Local Council – Blackpool Council Sensory Team
Tracy Elliott Rehabilitation Officer Vision Impairment
Email: tracy.elliott@blackpool.gov.uk
Tel: 01253 477757Tracey Stott Sensory Needs Officer
Email: tracey.stott@blackpool.gov.ukLancashire County Council Sensory Impairment Team
Tel: 03001236720
Website: csc.acscustomerservices@lancashire.gov.uk
Referral form: needs assessment to aid independent living. Note: Patients do not need to be registered sight impaired to be entitled to an assessment from the council.National Charities
Sightline
Charity based in NW England offering a free telephone-based befriending service designed to reduce loneliness and isolation for anyone living with a visual impairment.
Guide Dogs
Support to live actively, independently, and well with sight loss
RNIB
Inspiring people with sight loss to transform their personal experience
Macular Society
There is no need to face macular disease alone
Glaucoma UK
Supporting people to live well with glaucoma
Blind Veterans
Helping blind ex-Service people lead independent and fulfilling lives
Deaf Blind UK
Showing people that there can be a life beyond deafblindness
SeeAbility
Supporting people who have learning disabilities or autism
Sense
For everyone living with complex disabilities
Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre
Any patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of wet AMD should be seen by a CUES practice in the first instance for triaging and OCT – if you are not registered for CUES please see the CUES tab for information on how to find a practice.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is involved in the management and treatment of wet AMD. In order for referrals to be accurately processed they should be sent urgently via eERS on Opera. This will ensure that referrals for wet AMD are standardised & trackable to prevent delay.
If you are unable to use Opera or refer into CUES, please use this wet AMD referral form. Practitioners are asked to use NHS.net email for referrals and flag the email as high priority.
Please note that any co-pathology (e.g. glaucoma) should be referred separately.