NHS North Kirklees Community Optometric Services AQP

NHS North Kirklees CCG is procuring a Community Optometric Services for the population of the North Kirklees CCG area using the Any Qualified Provider (AQP) route.

This consists of 4 services:

• Diagnosed Ocular Hypertension

• Glaucoma Referral Refinement

• PEARS

• Pre and Post-operative Cataract

A key priority for North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is to strengthen the commissioning of services in order to maximise health outcomes whilst maximising current resources to their optimum to meet the demands of the Health Care Economy.

The CCG strive to commission safe, equitable, timely and appropriate services, providing seamless pathways which meet the needs of patients.

Ophthalmology and optometry services are provided in North Kirklees in both secondary and primary care by multi-skilled teams.

As the population ages, the incidence, prevalence and burden of eye disease is expected to increase and with many eye diseases chronic in nature this means life-long management. As diagnostic tests become more sophisticated and easier to administer, and with the development of new treatments, demand for eye care services is increasing. In North Kirklees, GP ophthalmology referrals continue to increased, putting pressure on local hospital eye services.

It is acknowledged that many ophthalmic assessments and treatments currently being carried out in the hospital could be more appropriately undertaken in primary care. The increased pressure on hospital services has escalated the need to transform the way eye care is delivered to our patients.