The ophthalmology service within Sheppey Community Hospital is led by consultant ophthalmologist, Mr Ijaz Sheikh and offers three clinics per week, two on a Saturday and one mid week .
Referrals can be made by Choose and Book and are triaged by the consultant on a weekly basis prior to acceptance.
The clinic is located at DMC Sheppey Healthcare Centre, Sheppey Community Hospital, Plover Road, Minster on Sea, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 3LT. Tel no: 01795 879199. Email: eck-pct.ophthalmology-dmcsheppey@nhs.net.
Accepted patients will be able to have their visual fields performed at the DMC eye clinic either on Thursdays or if necessary on the same day as their appointment thereby reducing the number of appointments required for your patients.
The service aims to:
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Reduce outpatient referrals into secondary care
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Improve outcomes for patients with long term ophthalmic conditions
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Provide ophthalmic treatment in a primary care setting
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See patients within six weeks of referral and preferably within three weeks of referral.
How to make a referral
Step one
For patients with ophthalmic conditions, refer to the guidance below. The service will accept all patients (over 16 years) with non emergency general ophthalmic conditions.
Inclusion criteria
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Eyelid disorders
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Conjunctival disorders
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Corneal disorders
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Non-acute glaucoma / ocular hypertension
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Low vision
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Minor eye surgery
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Diabetic retinopathy
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Hypertensive retinopathy
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Macular degeneration (wet and dry)
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Posterior segment disease
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Squint
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Cataracts
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Neuro-ophthalmology.
Exclusion criteria
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Acute red eye
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Major trauma
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Sudden visual loss
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New onset flashers / floaters
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Corneal infiltrates or ulcers
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Acute glaucoma
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Scleritis
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Patient aged under 16
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Conditions for which adequate primary care management has not been attempted.
Step two
If the patient’s condition meets the criteria for referral to the Ophthalmology clinic, complete the standard referral form: Sheppey ophthalmology outpatients referral form.
Step three
Make your referral using Choose and Book to the ophthalmology outpatients service at Sheppey Community Hospital. Please include the completed referral form. Please note this service is not directly bookable. If Choose and Book is unavailable, you can email the referral form to: eck-pct.ophthalmology-dmcsheppey@nhs.net.
Step four
Advise patient how to make an appointment. The Choose and Book information sheet for patients contains the phone number for appointment booking 01795 879199 (8am to 8pm). Referrals are triaged every week so please ask the patient to leave five working days before they ring to up book their appointment.
Patients meeting the criteria will be written to with appointment dates and relevant information. (Please see patient leaflet enclosed)
Minor eye surgery procedures include:
We look forward to meeting your patients.
In the meantime should you have any queries, please contact the Business Manager, Paula Sterling-Stead, on 01795 879199 or by email at eck-pct.ophthalmology-dmcsheppey@nhs.net.
Referral pathway
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Primary care management
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Conjunctivitis: This should only be referred if persistent for >3 weeks.
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Dry eyes: This should be initially treated with ocular lubricants.
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Acute eye conditions: These patients should be sent to an emergency eye clinic
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Acute trauma: These patients should be sent to an emergency eye clinic or A&E.
