Locsu has just updated the Atlas of Variation. The Atlas now shows services delivered by LOC companies as well as those commissioned via contracts direct with practices. The map view displays services by pathway type, with geographic groupings by NHS regional team that can be broken down to LOC or CCG level.
The Atlas is one of a number of powerful data tools, along with the Data Repository (funded by the Central Optical Fund) and OptoManager, which gives the sector the opportunity to make a strong, fully-supported, case for the commissioning of extended primary care eye services through optical practices. Taking Mecs as an example, live reporting now shows real-time data from four key areas: outcomes, referral sources, patient symptoms and patient satisfaction.
The outcomes measure is particularly important as it reveals how many patients were treated and discharged, meaning that, potentially, a hospital appointment was avoided. Overall discharge rate (patients seen entirely in community optical practice, so exclusive of secondary care), is also known as the deflection rate. This is the key indicator of the viability of Mecs in helping to achieve care outside of hospital.
A new report currently being worked for use by LOCs and Primary Eyecare companies shows the discharge rate is consistent over three years and the partial year from April to August 2017 at 68%. This equates to 78,000 patient episodes that potentially would have been delivered in hospital and represents a substantial saving to the NHS. Allied to this, patient satisfaction within Mecs services is consistently above a 90% recommendation level.
The Atlas of Variation can be found atlocsu.co.uk/community-services-pathways/community-services-map