NHS West Sussex wants to reduce waiting times and hospital visits by making more care available on the high street. The trust wants to work with optometrists and ophthalmic consultants to devise services and will be holding three workshops open to the public next month.

Programme manager Karen Hughes said: "At the moment, some patients who have a cataract may have to go to an optometrist and a GP before they get referred for treatment. NHS West Sussex would like to see that process shortened.

"We want to encourage local optometrists to work with hospital consultants so they offer more care on the high street. NHS West Sussex is committed to the government agenda to move care closer to home. This care will be overseen by the consultants, but patients won't always need to go to hospital for outpatient appointments."

The workshops will take place on:

* Tuesday, November 3 at the 4Sight Bradbury Centre, Victoria Drive, Bognor Regis, 10am-midday

* Wednesday, November 11 at the Charmandean Centre, Forest Road, Worthing, 10am-midday

* Tuesday, November 17 at the K2 Leisure Centre, Pease Pottage Hill, Crawley, 10am-midday.

The workshops will be open to eye-care patients, carers, the public and health care professionals.

To book a place contact Claire Nicol on 01903 708363 or email claire.nicol@westsussexpct.nhs.uk


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