Ophthalmic Primary Care: The Warrington Model*

OBJECTIVE: To set up and monitor ‘Open Access' clinics for Ophthalmic Primary Care, with the facility to place patients directly on the consultant's waiting list for cataract surgery and other surgical procedures. SETTING: Warrington Hospital and Halton Hospital (NHS Trusts). Daily Primary Care Clinics including two evening clinics a week. PATIENTS: All new patients referred to the Department of Ophthalmic Surgery, at Warrington Hospital, between 1 April and 30 September 1993. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: This 6-month audit includes an analysis of patients listed for cataract surgery, and other procedures (25%), and the resultant reduction in waiting times for out-patient appointments. The proportion of patients examined/treated in Primary Care and discharged back to their GPs (41%), together with an analysis of the patients requiring more detailed examination or monitoring in the general and special ophthalmic clinics (34%) is presented. The patient satisfaction questionnaire showed that 54% of the patients felt that the service was excellent, 21% good and 25% satisfactory. There were no unsatisfactory responses. A general practitioner satisfaction questionnaire revealed an average satisfaction of between good and excellent. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmic Primary Care Clinics are an effective method of delivering a quick and efficient service to General Practitioners, all patients being seen and where appropriate listed within 2 weeks of their GPs referral (93% of patients within 1 week).