NWL0128 Provision of Community Ophthalmology Services in Harrow

NHS North West London Integrated Care Board (NHS NW London ICB) requires the provision of Community Ophthalmology Services in the NW London borough of Harrow. The aim of the current service is to provide basic community ophthalmology services, ensuring that the local Harrow population is able to access sub-acute specialist care without requiring a referral to the hospital based service. Service users shall be referred by primary care, within the borough of Harrow only.

Key requirements for rapid access to community ophthalmology services for sub-acute ophthalmology conditions and these will include (this list is not exhaustive): • Trichiasis • Blepharitis • Eczema • Epiphora • Posterior synechiae - only needs review in patients with active iritis • Pinguecula • Episcleritis • Corneal Abrasion • Keratitis - Sterile • Endothelial abnormality e.g. Fuchs. • Pigmented abnormalities • Dry AMD (for OCT) • Schisis - Retinoschisis • Possible glaucoma and field defects • Meibomian gland dysfunction • Allergies • Concretions • Inflammation • Pterygium • Pupil abnormalities • Recurrent erosion syndrome • Keratoconus • Vein occlusion • Disc abnormality • Macular hole • Epiretinal membrane

All referrals received by the service should be clinically triaged with the following three outcomes: 1. Returned with advice only, allowing the GP to manage the condition in primary care. 2. Accepted into the community service for care. 3. Referred directly to the Hospital service as the referral condition is outside of the scope of the community service.

The service shall follow any referral guidelines released by the ICB (located at https://www.nwlondonics.nhs.uk/professionals/referral-guidelines-and-clinical-documents).

The purpose of this notice is to be transparent about NHS NW London ICB's intention beyond October 2022.

The ICB is committed to developing & delivering common pathways across North West London. These will be based on optimising patient experience, using best clinical evidence & providing value & improving outcomes. Over the coming months we will work with system partners to design those pathways & develop how we deliver these models of care in future.

To ensure continuity of service delivery during this process, a new contract will be put into place with the current provider, Harrow Health CIC, from 1st October 2022 for up to 18 months. The estimated annual value of the contract is £87,271.00.

NHS NW London ICB is committed to assess the needs of the service users & consider how (if relevant) it needs to secure the needs of the people who use the services, & improve the quality & efficiency in the provision of the services including through the services being provided in an integrated way.