Most of the key performance indicators this month are a little lower than June's results, but over the last two years we have seen similar reductions in July from June.
However, there are continued positive signs with significant increases over July last year and improved annual growth figures. The year so far has shown generally positive movements in the Index and this month the situation seems to have steadied and reflects the uncertain economic situation.
Total practice turnover is 8 per cent lower than last month, now at 166 Index points, which is a significant increase of 13 per cent on last July's figure and represents a positive annual growth of 3 per cent.
Turnover per eye examination is up by £3 on last month, a £12 improvement on July 2009.
Total eye examinations and dispensing (Figure 1) shows that the number of eye examinations slid by 12 per cent against June 2010, this is 1 per cent higher than July last year. From February this year we have seen larger numbers of tests being performed than last year and a good recovery from the low figures recorded during December 2009 and January 2010. The moving average for this benchmark shows a return to 105 Index points and the lower parts of the line not dropping below 102 Index points, although there was a decline between September 2009 and January 2010 the values of this moving average are fairly constant. The linear trend-line (which takes into account only the data shown on the chart, rather than historical values) shows an improving trend from 100 to 107 Index points over the year shown.
Total dispensing has reduced for the second consecutive month, now at an Index figure of 76, this is 8 per cent lower than last month and 14 per cent lower than last year. The pattern here roughly follows the number of eye examinations, but around a month later. The moving average shows a decline in the year period of 10 per cent, however, the linear trend-line shows a steep descent of 15 per cent over the 12 months.
The percentage of examinations which are NHS (Figure 2) has stayed the same this month at 79 per cent of the total, 6 per cent more than last July and the annual growth figure remains positive at 4 per cent. The graph clearly shows a very stable five month period between July and November 2009 followed by a drop in December and then a step change increase of 11 per cent in January and February this year, which has been sustained for the last five months.
Average dispensing rate (Figure 3) is 2 per cent down on June 2010 to 57 per cent which is 3 per cent lower than July last year. This key performance indicator varies considerably over the 12 months, with higher rates of dispensing being recorded in October, March and May, the highest value being in August 2009. September, February and April show low points with the largest fall off being in November. The moving average line here shows a decline of 4 per cent between July 2009 and February 2010, followed by a slower decline from February through to July 2010, whereas the linear trend-line, although almost flat, is showing a fractional decline over the period.
Lens breakdown by volume (Figure 4) shows all lens benchmarks reduced from last month, with single vision down to 55 Index points. This is 10 per cent down on June, which is a 22 per cent reduction from last July, so annual growth is now a little worse at -20 per cent. Bi/trifocals recorded 43 Index points, lower by 14 per cent from last month but 5 per cent higher than last July. Progressive lenses have lost 3 per cent from last month, now 185 Index points. This is, however, a sizeable improvement of 16 per cent from the July figure last year, with the annual growth now positive at 11 per cent. The dispensing volumes of single-vision lenses and bi/trifocals follow a very similar pattern, whereas progressive lenses appear to be a more popular choice from October through to December. The moving average for single vision demonstrates a constant decline over the period. The moving average for bi/trifocals shows a slight decline over the period but has steadied from December 2009. Progressive lenses show a steady incline over the period, with the most pronounced increase from December to May.
Photochromic lenses (Figure 5) reduced by 4 per cent this month to 13 per cent of dispensing. This benchmark showed its highest figure recorded of 17 per cent last month. The volume is 1 per cent higher than July 2009 and the moving average shows a very positive upward trend. Seasonal trends are now emerging which show the higher volumes being recorded between March through June, perhaps patients are looking ahead to the summer months and taking advantage of promotional offers. The trend then drops in July, possibly due to the thoughts of autumn approaching with volume then stabilising before reducing in October/November.
Anti-reflective coatings have tumbled by 9 per cent to 67 Index points from June, 38 per cent lower than last year, amounting to a negative annual growth of -37 per cent. The number of spectacles now dispensed with anti-reflective coatings is 42 per cent of total dispensing, 3 per cent lower than last month and 2 per cent lower than July 2009.
Re-glazes maintained 12 per cent again this month, still 2 per cent higher than July 2009.
New contact lens fits were down 11 per cent this month from the June result, 12 per cent lower than last July. This takes the annual growth figure to 1 per cent lower than last month at -5 per cent.
Contact lens solution sales are down 11 per cent on June 2010 but only 1 per cent on July 2009, the annual growth figure is still a fraction positive at quarter of a per cent.
Please note all figures are adjusted to a 25-working-day month. In July 2010 there were 27 working days.
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