The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) will provide a timely and effective assessment of the needs of a patient presenting with an eye condition. The assessment will be undertaken by an accredited optometrist within suitably equipped premises who will manage the patient appropriately and safely. The aim of the service is to maintain as many patients as possible in the primary eye care setting and avoid unnecessary referrals to acute hospital services.

The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) will provide a timely and effective assessment of the needs of a patient presenting with an eye condition. The assessment will be undertaken by an accredited optometrist within suitably equipped premises who will manage the patient appropriately and safely. The aim of the service is to maintain as many patients as possible in the primary eye care setting and avoid unnecessary referrals to acute hospital services.

The single provider contract model allows commissioners to use primary eye care companies to work with all optical practices in the area without having to manage individual contracts. The model has been developed by the Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOCSU). The 5 CCGs (Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark) will implement a single provider contract which will be delivered through a primary eye care company who will then sub-contract with the optical practice providers.

Aims and objectives of service

The aims of the service are as follows:

— the service aims to improve eye health and reduce inequalities by providing increased access to eye care in the community,

— the service utilises the knowledge and skills of primary care optometrists to triage, manage and prioritise patients presenting with an eye condition,

— access to eye care for the conditions described in the specification will enable more patients to receive treatment closer to their homes,

— the service is expected to reduce the number of unnecessary referrals from primary care to secondary care, supported by the provision of more accurate referral information if referral is made.