Referral Protocols in Dudley

On this page:

No Direct Referrals apart from for cataract
Cataract Direct Referral
GP address lists

No Direct Referral apart from for cataract.

Apart from Cataracts, there is no direct referral from Optometrists to the local Russells Hall Eye Clinic. The only exceptions to this are emergency cases and suspected wet AMD. All other referrals must go through the GP.

Some Birmingham GPs will return the GOS18 to the referring optometrist with a note demanding direct referral. The LOC advise that when referring to a Birmingham GP you include a statement in the referral to the effect that as an Optometrist performing services in the Dudley PCT area you are not obliged to refer directly.

Referral guidelines for Dudley are available from the PCT website (see link on the left).

Cataract Direct Referral

Direct referral of cataract operates within Dudley. This was introduced on the 31st January 2005 as a result of the Government Choose and Book Initiative.

At last checking for further Cataract Choice Information Packs, please contact Amy Lichfield at the PCT (x6169) who now deals with the administration and sending out of the referral and info packs.

From the point of view of the Optometrist the pathway is the same as the rest of the BBCStHA pathway agreed in 2005 (available to download on this page) i.e. offer choice, complete C1 and fax copy to Hospital and GP. The patient should then contact the hospital to arrange a convenient appointment.

Cataract Referrals are payable by the Finance Department and are included in your payment for GOS claims. You must complete all required fields of the claim and send a copy of the whole form (front only) into the PCT with a docket/listing sheet. You must submit a separate docket/listing sheet with each different claim type.

Telephone numbers seem to be in flux. Below are the last recorded list of numbers but if anyone can provide updates please contact us using the link on the left.

	Patient number	Fax Number
Russells Hall	0845 1550054	01384 321060
Sandwell	0121 507 3236	0121 507 6711
BMEC	0121 507 4151	0121 507 6711
Wolverhampton	01902 695800/307999	01902 695755
Worcester	01905 760422	01905 760506
Kidderminster	01562 513217	01562 513036

Scans of some of the paperwork are available to download below. Copyright for these remains with the original author and the documents are hosted in the interest of patient care.

N.B. Most of the patient leaflets should be printed onto yellow paper.

C1 Form
Choice Patient Leaflet
Russell Hall Patient Leaflet
Sandwell General Hospital Patient Leaflet
BMEC Patient Leaflet
Wolverhampton Patient Leaflet (now at New Cross)
Worcester Patient Leaflet
Kidderminster Patient Leaflet
A Web based version of Understanding Cataracts is here. If you require multiple copies from the RNIB there is a charge.

Accreditation

At the launch of Cataract Direct Referral the PCT committed itself to ongoing accreditation for optometrists new to the area. Since no sessions have been offered for a few years the LOC consider it acceptable for mentoring to take place. Below are some resources to help optometrists new to the area:

Original Accreditation Presentation (Powerpoint)
Accreditation Handout
Overall Pathway
Pathway for patients wanting referral
Pathway for patients not contacting hospital

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GP Lists.

In order to aid referral in Dudley a list of Dudley GPs has been compiled from information in the public domain. As such it may have errors and will periodically need updating. If you spot any errors please contact us.

Four version of the list are provided: by area, by alphabetical order of GP name, by name of practice, and by name of road. These will assist where the patient only knows one of those details.

All lists on this page are provided to support the delivery of healthcare in the interests of patients and not for private gain or advertising. They should not to be used to identify individuals or groups to send advertising material, or unnecessary or other frivolous material, either by yourself or on behalf of or by a third party.

Dudley PCT by Area
Dudley PCT by GP Name
Dudley PCT by Practice Name
Dudley PCT by Road

Other Areas.

Sandwell LOC keep information on GPs in Sandwell and neighbouring areas, though this information may be out of date.

Alternatively you can access GP details via the NHS Choices webstie

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