Service specification for Age Related Macular Degeneration Referral Service Reference: - 201 Document Version Control Version Reason Date Author 1.0 Inherited from PCT 1st April 2013 unknown 1.1 Updating of document for contract incorporation 2.0 Incorporating changes during review workshop 3.0 Incorporating changes after review workshop 3.1 Incorporating CCG Medicines Management comments 3.2 Revised in accordance with updated guidance on QiO Levels 1 INTRODUCTION May 2014 11th December 2014 7th January 2015 13th January 2015 23rd January 2015 Alison Dean/Sue Leeves/Hannah Oliver Alison Dean / Sue Leeves Alison Dean / Sue Leeves Sue Leeves Alison Dean / Sue Leeves 1.1 Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of severe visual loss in the elderly (more than 65 years old) population in the U.K. With the advent of new treatments it is important to identify patients in the early stages of developing wet age related macular degeneration. 1.2 Wet age related macular degeneration refers to the development of new vessels growing under the macula. Symptoms include sudden visual blurring, distortion, lines appearing to be wavy or kinked, or a blob in the centre of the vision. Sometimes patients will be unaware that the vision has dropped and this is only identified at a visit to their optician
(usually this occurs when patients have good vision in the other eye). The retinal features of wet AMD consist of some or all of the following: retinal elevation, retinal pigment epithelial elevation, sub-retinal and retinal haemorrhage, exudates and a visible grey subretinal membrane. 1.3 Patients with signs of wet AMD should be referred urgently as it may be appropriate to carry out treatment. Patients are treated according to NICE guidelines. 1.4 Wet age related macular degeneration needs to be differentiated from dry AMD. Dry AMD consists of slow loss of vision, sometimes with mild distortion, and has clinical features of retinal pigment epithelial atrophy and clumping in the centre of the macula. Patients need to be supported with suitable low visual aids and social support if their vision has dropped. 1.5 Dry AMD needs to be differentiated from age-related macular changes (AMC) which are very common. These consist of drusen, mild RP changes and usually give no significant visual problems although there may be mild distortion sometimes on Amsler testing. The diagnosis of mild age related macular changes does not mean that the patient will suffer progressive loss of vision. 1.6 Advice should be given about general health. We know that smokers, patients with uncontrolled hypertension and those with a poor diet do worse in terms of developing progressive macular degeneration. 2 SERVICE OUTLINE 2.1 The service provides for the rapid access for appropriate patients with wet AMD to specialist clinics for investigation and treatment or to low vision services, social services, rehabilitation support etc for patients with dry AMD. 2.2 The service is provided by specially trained and AMD accredited community optometrists with special interest (COSI) working within the Brighton and Hove City boundaries who are able to provide a timely appointment registered with the General Optical Council following NICE Guidelines and GOC required procedures 2.3 The service is accessed by patients where wet AMD, suspected Wet AMD or dry AMD has been identified either by: their local ophthalmic practitioner attending a GP who recommends attendance and treatment ("GP referral") 2.4 The service is available to all patients registered with a GP practice which is a member of Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). 2.5 Contractors will ensure that their professional indemnity is up to date and covers them for all tasks they are carrying out within this Locally Commissioned Service.
2.6 The CCG reserves the right to withdraw or amend this service and will give a minimum of 3 months notice of any changes. 3 SERVICE AIMS 3.1 The service aims to improve health and reduce inequalities by providing increased access to eye care in the community. 3.2 The service will provide rapid access for appropriate patients with AMD to specialist clinics for investigation and treatment. 3.3 Access to eye care for the conditions described will enable more patients to receive treatment closer to their homes. 3.4 The service is expected to reduce the number of unnecessary referrals from primary care to secondary care, supported by the provision of more accurate referral information. 3.5 The service will streamline access to low vision services, social services and rehabilitation support for patients with dry AMD. These services are co-ordinated by the Eye Care Liaison Officer / Low Vision Co-ordinator, Sussex Eye Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BF. 3.6 The knowledge and skills of community ophthalmic practitioners will be better utilised. 3.7 Relationships between ophthalmic practitioners, secondary care, GPs, and the CCG will be further developed. 4 SERVICE PROVISION 4.1 The service shall be provided during normal practice hours. 4.2 The scheme is designed for those patients whose principle problem is AMD. All other referrals will be dealt with in the normal manner. 5 SERVICE SPECIFICATION 5.1 Initial assessment On receipt of a referral from either a GP or optometrist the practitioner will perform an assessment within two working days (unless the patient requests a later appointment) which should include assessment of Visual Acuity, dilated fundus examination, photography when appropriate and involve the use of an OCT scan. Self-presenting patients can also be seen at the discretion of the practitioner. 5.2 Obtaining the patients consent for Treatment 5.2.1 If AMD is confirmed the COSI should: Explain exactly what AMD is and how symptoms that they are experiencing relate to AMD. This should cover blurred or loss of vision, distortion, lines appearing to be wavy or kinked. Discuss the option of AMD treatment and explain the process.
Any medicine related treatment recommendations made to the patient, the patient s GP or to secondary care must comply with the Brighton and Hove Joint Formulary, found at: http://staff.brightonandhoveccg.nhs.uk/jointformulary 5.3 Onwards referral Patients with signs of wet or suspected wet AMD should be referred urgently to the hospital eye service for treatment. Complete the service referral form and e-mail it using nhs.net to the AMD Rapid Assessment Clinic at the hospital. The Provider should include the GP s name and address on the form and ensure that the Provider s details are clear and legible. Patients with Dry AMD and visual loss should be referred to the ECLO / Low Vision Co-ordinator for Low Vision Screening and social services for support. Patients should be advised to re-attend for an immediate check-up if they develop sudden distortion/central blurring. Patients with AMC (Age Related Macular Changes) The diagnosis of AMC does not mean that the patient will suffer progressive loss of vision. However the presence of multiple confluent drusen carries a higher risk of progression of macular degeneration. There is no need to refer patients with AMC. Patients should be advised to re-attend for an immediate check-up if they develop sudden distortion/central blurring. Patients with a diagnosis other than AMD should be referred to the Hospital Eye Service for assessment and treatment via the most appropriate route depending on the urgency. 5.4 Follow-Up Appointments after successful treatment at the hospital Patients who have had successful treatment of their wet AMD at the hospital and appear to their hospital consultant to be in a relatively stable phase may be discharged to the COSI for on-going monitoring. Patients with no re-activation of Choroidal Neovascularisation for 6 months will be offered follow up appointments on the following basis: o At each monitoring visit the patient is to be given an OCT scan to ensure the patient s condition is not deteriorating. o The patient is to be given a clinical assessment and if required will be referred to the Hospital Eye Service. 5.5 Frequency of visits for stable follow-up patients Patients should be seen at 2 monthly visits during the first year. Provided they continue to be stable, patients should be seen at 3 monthly visits during year 2. If after 2 years there is no recurrence the patient should be discharged with advice. Patients should all be advised to make contact with the COSI if any deterioration in symptoms is experienced either between follow up appointments or after discharge. 5.6 Social Exclusions There are social exclusions. If a patient requires a domiciliary assessment they would not be able to have access to this service but should be referred directly to the Hospital Eye Service and should have access to hospital transport.
6 ACCREDITATION EDUCATION AND TRAINING 6.1 The Contractor shall ensure all ophthalmic practitioners employed or engaged by the Contractor are confident and competent in respect of the provision of the locally commissioned services and have been officially recognised via the appropriate panel at the CCG as a Practitioner with a Special Interest. 6.2 Ophthalmic practitioners will be expected to undertake training to cover the clinical procedures and protocols involved in providing the locally commissioned services that will involve CCG accreditation. 6.3 The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all persons employed or engaged by the Contractor in respect of the provision of the services under the Contract are aware of the administrative requirements of the service. 6.4 The Contractor shall ensure that any additional ophthalmic practitioners who are to provide the AMD service for patients presenting at the practice premises, have read and understood this service specification and are qualified and accredited to provide the enhanced service. 7 PATIENT ELIGIBILITY 7.1 The service is available to all persons registered with a GP Practice which is a member of the Brighton and Hove CCG. 8 REFERRAL AND PATIENT PATHWAY 8.1 All patients shall be referred to the Contractor at the practice premises by an Optometrist, Ophthalmic Medical Practitioner, General Medical Practitioner or Consultant Ophthalmologist. The contractor may also identify patients from his/her own patient base for whom an AMD assessment is appropriate or those who self-present, at the discretion of the practitioner. 8.2 Patients shall make a mutually convenient appointment with the Contractor. 8.3 If the Contractor is unable to provide for the assessment of the patient, the Contractor, ophthalmic practitioner or other responsible person shall direct the patient to an alternative provider of the services, e.g. another contracted practitioner or the Hospital Eye Service. 8.4 The Contractor shall seek consent from the patient to the assessment and, where appropriate, treatment. 8.5 The Contractor, ophthalmic practitioner or other responsible person shall provide the patient with a paper copy of their Patient Records, if requested and an administrative charge may be incurred. 8.6 The Contractor shall provide appropriate clinical advice and guidance to the patient in respect of the management of the presenting condition.
9 RECORD KEEPING AND DATA COLLECTION 9.1 The ophthalmic practitioner shall fully complete, in an accurate and legible manner, the Patient Records. 9.2 The Optometric Patient Records will provide for: The clinical management of patients. The referral of patients by an ophthalmic practitioner to the hospital eye services or to an optometrist with appropriate specialist qualification and experience. The claim for payment and sharing of data for contract monitoring and audit. 10 PERFORMANCE REPORTING Reporting Requirements and Timescales 10.1 Referral forms for the services shall be forwarded by the Contractor to the AMD Rapid Assessment Clinic within one working day (24 hours) of the patient receiving the service. 10.2 Clinical Governance issues shall be reported by the Contractor to the CCG by exception in accordance with paragraph 13 of this specification. 10.3 Patient complaints about this service shall be reported annually by the Contractor to the CCG. 10.4 Other relevant information required from time to time by the CCG shall be provided by the Contractor in a timely manner. 11 SERVICE REVIEW 11.1 The Contractor shall co-operate with the CCG as reasonably required in respect of the monitoring and assessment of the services, including: Answering any questions reasonably put to the Contractor by the CCG. Providing any information reasonably required by the CCG. Attending any meeting or ensuring that an appropriate representative of the Contractor attends any meeting (if held at a reasonably accessible place and at a reasonable hour, and due notice has been given), if the Contractor s presence at the meeting is reasonably required by the CCG. 12 INFORMATION 12.1 The Contractor shall provide all information specified in this Schedule in a timely manner, ensuring its accuracy and completeness. 12.2 From time to time, it may be necessary for either party to make ad-hoc requests for information from the other in order to respond to internal or external queries. On occasions, and depending on the sensitivity or relative risk associated with the issue, this information may be required in a short timescale. The parties, subject to this Contract, acknowledge this and agree to undertake the following:
To minimise ad-hoc requests and ensure that short timescales for responses are not requested, unless absolutely necessary or where no choice is considered to exist. Where an ad-hoc request is made, the party asked to provide the information commits to ensure that every reasonable effort is made to provide it within the given timeframe. 12.3 The Contractor shall within one month of the start of each CCG financial year agree a Data Quality Plan to address identified issues where the data and information requirements of this Schedule have not been met by the Contractor. 13 GOVERNANCE 13.1 The CCG requires the Contractor to comply with Quality in Optometry Level 1 and NHS Standard Contract Level including record keeping and infection control audits. 14 INFECTION CONTROL 14.1 The Contractor shall specifically ensure that: The clinical environment is maintained appropriately to reduce the risk of healthcare acquired infections. Waste is disposed of safely without risk of contamination or injury and is in accordance with national legislation and regulations. Clinical equipment is managed appropriately to reduce the risk of healthcare acquired infections. Hand washing is undertaking correctly using an appropriate cleansing agent. Hand washing facilities shall be adequate to ensure hand hygiene can be carried out effectively. The environment is cleaned to an appropriate standard and monitored regularly. Items in direct contact with the eye shall be disposable and shall not be re-used. The Contractor is recommended to refer to the College of Optometrists Infection Control Guidelines. 15 FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT 15.1 The Contractor shall meet the following non-exhaustive list of requirements: o OCT o Whilst managing a patient, the consulting room shall not be used for any other purposes o Hand washing with hot/cold water to be available o Liquid Soap o Alcohol Gel o Paper towels o Single use items including minims o Washable work surfaces o Floor and wall surfaces maintained in a clean and hygienic manner o Cleanable lighting, especially lighting close to the patient 16 SERIOUS UNTOWARD INCIDENTS
16.1 The Contractor shall within seventy two (72) hours, specifically notify the CCG of any incidents of significant post examination/intervention infection. 16.2 Fitness to practice concerns shall be reported by the Contractor to the CCG Quality Lead and will be investigated by the CCG. 17 CLINICAL AUDIT 17.1 The Contractor shall participate in any clinical audit activity as reasonably required by the CCG, and maintain appropriate records to evidence and support such activity, including an electronic spreadsheet or database showing the outcome of each clinical audit. The Contractor should refer to the Quality in Optometry auditing section for guidance on clinical audit and record keeping. 18 PATIENT EXPERIENCE 18.1 The Contractor will participate in an annual patient survey by engaging patients in the completion of a patient questionnaire. 19 PAYMENT 19.1 Payment for the service is on a cost per case arrangement. The CCG shall pay the Contractor 80.00 for the triage of a patient. The CCG shall pay the Contractor 80.00 for each follow up appointment. 19.2 The Contractor shall invoice Brighton and Hove CCG for activity undertaken on a quarterly basis, i.e. Claims for April to June invoice required by 21 st July; Claims for July to September invoice required by 21 st October; Claims for October December invoice required by 21 st January; Claims for January to March invoice required by 21 st April. 19.3 The Contractor shall invoice Brighton and Hove CCG using the template attached. This invoice should include a summary of the activity undertaken, eg 10 triage appointments and 5 follow up appointments, but should not contain any patient identifiable information. 19.4 The Contractor is required to maintain an adequate record of activity that is available for audit on request. This must include internal cross referencing within the practice to enable identification of patient records if required. 19.5 For the avoidance of doubt, no payment will be made by the CCG in respect of patients that do not attend a scheduled appointment (DNAs).
PARTICIPATING OPTOMETRISTS The ophthalmic practitioners named below will provide the specified service. The ophthalmic practitioners named below declare that they have read and understood this service specification. Name: Signature Performer List No: Dated Name: Signature Performer List No: Dated Name: Signature Performer List No: Dated Name: Signature Performer List No: Dated Name: Signature Performer List No: Dated Please continue on an additional sheet if required The Contractor shall ensure that any additional ophthalmic practitioners who are to provide the service have read and understood this service specification, and have signed a copy of this service specification, which the Contractor shall provide to the CCG.
payee name address address address address address Phone Fax Date INVOICE VAT Registration Number Billing Address Delivery Address HANNAH OLIVER NHS BRIGHTON & HOVE CCG NHS Brighton & Hove CCG 09D PAYABLES L685 Level 3 PHOENIX HOUSE Lanchester House Trafalgar TOPCLIFFE LANE Place WAKEFIELD Brighton WF3 1WE BN1 4FU Account Number Purchase Order No Requisitioner Delivery Note Terms n/a Quantity Description Unit Price Amount Age Related Macular Degeneration Referral Service Triage per patient 80.00 Follow-up per patient 80.00 Bank Details Sort Code Account Number OR Please make cheques payable to: Remittance Address as above Subtotal Discount amount Postage VAT Total Due Supplier comments or instructions: The Contractor shall invoice Brighton and Hove CCG for activity undertaken on a quarterly basis. This invoice should include a summary of the activity undertaken, eg 10 triage appointments and 5 follow up appointments, but should not contain any patient identifiable information. The Contractor is required to maintain an adequate record of activity that is available for audit on request.