New LOCSU database tracks eye services

LOCSU has announced a new national database to support the case for the universal commissioning of community eye services.

The ‘Data Repository project’ will aim to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of community services and provide a compelling evidence base to NHS commissioners.

LOCSU managing director Katrina Venerus said: ‘This will be a real game changer for community optics that could put paid to the fragmented, piecemeal approach by commissioners.

‘While the current OptoManager IT platform collects data from individual services, it does not offer the global perspective and real-time, in-depth comparisons that will be provided by the new data repository.’

Venerus said the new initiative will allow outcome comparisons across different services – by geography, age group and ethnicity. It will also be possible for other reference data to be fed into the repository, for example disease prevalence, to answer specific research questions.