Update on procurement for single provider of community eyecare services in Lancashire and South Cumbria

Following a robust and highly competitive procurement exercise, a single provider for community ophthalmology (the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders) services in Lancashire and South Cumbria has been appointed.

Primary Eyecare Services will be the organisation responsible for the following community eyecare services across the region from 1 October 2024:

• Glaucoma repeat measures – checking for glaucoma using specialist equipment.
• Glaucoma case finding – assessments usually following a sight test, for further investigations due to signs of glaucoma.
• Post-operative cataract checks – checks must be carried out on all routine cataract surgery patients 4-6 weeks after their procedure.
• Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) – urgent assessment, treatment, or referral for sudden onset eye problems such as flashes, floaters, vision loss or minor eye injuries.
• Low vision assessment and provision of vision aids – such as magnifying glasses for those with reduced vision.

All these services were previously managed by a variety of different providers under contracts established under the former clinical commissioning groups.

NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board’s (ICB) aim is to ensure consistency of services across Lancashire and South Cumbria, and for everyone to experience the same high-quality care, regardless of where they live.

By bringing these services together under a single contract, community eyecare services will be delivered consistently, reducing health inequalities while delivering care closer to home, increasing care provision and access.

Further updates will be made available prior to service launch on 1 October 2024.