OOs could have role in care team for elderly

Dr David Colinson, chairman of Poole Bay Primary Care Trust (PCT) in Dorset, said this week that although matters were still at a 'very early stage', new optometric initiatives could well be in place by the start of next year. The trust, one of four announced by health minister John Denham last week to achieve PCT status, said it was planning to implement a multi-disciplinary approach to working with the elderly. It added that this would involve the use of social services, optometrists, dentists, carers and th elocal authority. 'We have a very large workload programme to carry out over the next 12 months,' said Dr Colinson. 'But that doesn't mean we will be excluding approaches from optometrists or dentists at the moment.' He added that any proposals, which could include new screening policies or direct patient referrals, would be discussed before a joint working committee prior to being approved by the trust's board members. 'We are approaching this issue cautiously, and protocols will have to be laid down first, but the issue of direct referral for example, is certainly one that would be high on the agenda,' he said. - In announcing the establishment of the four new PCTs, which are expected to start work in April, health minister John Denham said: 'These PCTs are all led by pioneering health professionals who are in the best position to make decisions about local health service. These local GPs, nurses and other health professionals now have the opportunity to take real control at a local level and make sure that all parts of the NHS provide fast, convenient services of the highest quality.'