Most local optical committees (LOCs) now have at least one community eye service in place – with 500 schemes now rolled out across the UK.
In its latest annual report, collective body LOCSU said regional momentum was growing for the services, which include cataract, glaucoma and low vision clinics.
Fifty-six per cent of LOCs had at least one community service commissioned. LOCSU also reported that 40 out of 78 LOCs were now covered by a regional company, and a total of 63 LOCs were now promoting the single provider model to attract services.
LOCSU managing director Katrina Venerus said: ‘We are seeing a clear trend from both clinical commissioning groups [CCGs] and LOCs attracted to the benefits of the company model. LOCs are drawn to its efficiency as it eases the administrative burden and allows practices of all sizes to participate in pathways. Similarly, hard-pressed CCGs understand the benefits of administering one contract but still offering patients a wide choice of practices for eye health services.’
LOCSU added that 159 community services have been established since April 2014, with the number of services delivered through an LOC company doubling in the past 12 months.
The organisation has also completed the first major update to its Atlas of Optical Variation. For the first time, the atlas now showed details of services delivered by LOC companies as well as those commissioned via individual contracts.
Venerus added: ‘The reality is that community eye services are still a postcode lottery due to the absence of national standardised commissioning. The updated Atlas of Variation offers a snapshot of the current provision and gaps around the country.’
To view the new Atlas of Optical Variation visit www.locsu.co.uk/community-services-pathways/community-services-map