The objectives of the service for 2019/20 are that the MEC service treats conditions which do not necessarily need specialist hospital examinations, in convenient locations for the patient, and is carried out by specially trained Optometrists. The service will provide a community based minor eye conditions service to patients who are registered with a Rotherham GP.

Using the skills of primary care optometrists to triage, manage and prioritise patients presenting with an eye condition, patient care will be improved by:

— reduction in unnecessary referrals to eye casualty clinics thus supporting secondary care to manage ophthalmology capacity,

— more cost-effective care,

— speedier access to care,

— care closer to home in a more convenient setting,

— easier access for patients through self-referral,

— retention of patients in primary care where possible,

— reduction in antibiotic prescribing.

The contract will be for an initial term of one (1) year from the anticipated service commencement date of 1.7.2019, with the opportunity to extend for a further two (2) successive periods of one (1) year each, at the sole discretion of the Authority. The maximum term of contract is consequently three (3) years.