LOC sets up one-stop service in Wakefield

Two similar projects have been running in Gloucestershire and Ayrshire for some time. The Wakefield & Pontefract Hospital Trust asked the LOC to help set up the project, as part of the Action on Cataracts Directive. The Directive is aimed at speeding up the process for patients waiting for cataract surgery by cutting waiting lists and reducing the number of appointments. LOC chairman Alistair Yager and ex-chairman Andrew Paterson have been negotiating a fee with the Trust. Mr Yager told optician: 'We are currently negotiating a fee. We are hopeful that we will be successful.' He said that the fee would be less than that of the 'time-cost factor' of &\#163;37.50 received by optometrists in Gloucestershire because the process in Wakefield was simpler. Practitioners in Wakefield will not be responsible for forwarding the health details of the patient. Mr Yager explained: 'We won't do the medical side as in the other projects in Gloucestershire and Ayrshire - we won't ask questions about the patient's health. We won't necessarily refer the patient to a GP but will send a letter to the GP via the patient for the GP to give the patients' health details for the one-stop cataract service. 'The GP's practice will then make the direct booking for the patient if their general health details are suitable.' The cataract project is currently a pilot scheme in one area but there are plans for expansion to involve all optometrists in the new year.