In this episode, doctors Lisa and Sarah are joined by optometrist and chair of Greater Manchester Optometry Provider Board, Dharmesh Patel, to get an understanding of optometry as part of the Primary Care team.
They discuss how the service is set up, what can be done at the opticians, different types of patient access and how GP practices can link in with services.
They also discuss the Community Urgent Eye Care Service (CUES), Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) and Community Eye Care Service (CECS), with example cases to illustrate options for accessing services in Greater Manchester.
Check out the links in the resources section for more about these services.
Useful resources
- Generic introduction to optometry and opticians in the UK for patients: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/visiting-an-optician/
- Criteria for free NHS eye checks: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/
- Easy Eyecare Pathway to support patients with disabilities and autism: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eye-care-and-people-with-learning-disabilities/eye-care-case-study-community-eye-care-pathway
- Primary eyecare services, including how to find the nearest GP practices with Community Urgent Eye Care Service (CUES), Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) or Community Eye Care Service (CECS): https://primaryeyecare.co.uk/find-a-practice/
