NHSX: Eye care digital playbook (March 2021)

Summary

NHSX's Innovation Team has released its latest digital playbook which focuses on eye care and directs clinicians and organisations to digital tools that can support patient pathways.

The resource, which is extensive and features numerous case studies, can be used by eye care specialists looking to digitally enhance their ophthalmology pathways, remote monitoring and sharing of diagnostics.

Content

Areas and scenarios covered in the eyecare playbook include examples of digital tools and solutions to help with communication, improving referrals, setting up virtual clinics, remote consultations and self-monitoring, as well as sharing clinical data and images. A step-by-step, recommended eye care pathway is also featured covering stages from primary care, referrals and diagnostics, through to outpatients and day surgery, and finally, community care and supported self-care.

Some of the innovative case studies featured include examples from:

• NHS Grampian’s Eye Health Network
• Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS FT
• County Durham and Darlington NHS FT
• The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
• Bolton NHS Trust FT
• East Kent Hospitals University NHS FT
• Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS FT
• The University of Strathclyde and NHS Forth Valley

Digital tools and solutions highlighted stretch from home visual acuity testing and remote vision monitoring for macular disease, through to secure video messaging service examples, smartphone-based lenses for image capturing and referrals, virtual glaucoma clinics, and integration platforms.