Standards: NICE draft quality standard

Cooperation between primary and secondary care on a range of major eye disorders has never been closer. Earlier this year NICE published clinical guidelines on three conditions: cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the draft quality standard published reflects the recommendations made in the clinical guidelines.

NICE is opening up the draft quality standard for consultation by commissioners, service providers, health, public health and social care practitioners, and the public with submissions open until October 8. The final standard will be published in February of 2019 replacing the 2011 standard.

Not surprisingly the three conditions covered are exactly the same as those subject to the latest agreements between high street practitioners and hospitals. The previously published clinical guidance and the finalised quality standards will dictate how optometrists communicate, diagnose and refer patients on. The draft quality standard, (www.nice.org.uk/guidance/GID-QS10058/documents/draft-quality-standard) makes six quality statements and then explains the background and rationale behind each.