On 27th November 2020 the Staffordshire (excluding East Staffs) Covid-19 Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) was launched for patients registered with a Stoke on Trent, North Staffordshire, Stafford & Surrounds, Cannock Chase or South East Staffordshire & Seisdon Peninsular CCG GP practice.
This service ensures that people can access urgent eyecare within primary care Optometry Practices The service will provide initial contact, telephone triage, remote consultations and, where necessary, face-to-face assessments and management of recent onset symptomatic or urgent ocular presentations.
From 3rd April 2023, patients may be referred into CUES via Primary Eyecare Services Telemedicine service and patients will be able to phone directly to seek an appointment. GPs/Pharmacies and other stakeholders can also refer into CUES by phoning the Telemedicine Service on 0333 015 0122 (Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm). Please note this service is for patients with a GP in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent (excluding East Staffordshire).
Information for healthcare professionals that wish to care navigate patients into the service can be found here.
Supporting service information for CUES providing practices can be found; Staffordshire Community Eye Care Pathway Documents at Staffordshire Local Optical Committee (staffsloc.co.uk)
To find participating optical practices; search here
If your Optical practice would like to deliver this service, please complete this form and the PES team will contact you.
Optometrists do not require any WOPEC accreditation to provide CUES. CLOs who have undergone MECS accreditation, and who are working with a MECS-accredited optometrist, may also participate.
Staffordshire Virtual CUES Event - 29th March 2021
To view the training event which took place virtually on 29th March 2021, please use the following link:
https://vimeo.com/534130380/32b97826a4
CUES Staffordshire Virtual Training Event Presentation
CUES Medicine Forms
Optometrist Referral to Pharmacy form
Update Documents
GOC Statement on Use of Technology during COVID 19
GOC High Level Principles for remote prescribing
NHSEI - GIRFT Guide Remote Working