Imran Rahman, CEO and Consultant Ophthalmologist, CHEC, spoke to Chris Henson about tackling the COVID-19 backlog, community-based support for the NHS, and the digitisation of healthcare.

Without major intervention, will we ever see an end to the COVID-19-induced NHS backlog, and its effects on patients waiting for surgery, within eyecare?

Our healthcare system is under more pressure than ever, with the NHS currently facing record waiting lists of more than six million patients, and these are predicted to continue rising until 2024. Whilst the impact of COVID-19 has certainly exacerbated the situation, the backlog was already profound – four million people were waiting for treatment before the pandemic even started. But there are steps we can take.

The government’s decision to increase funding – including a £36bn increase from National Insurance rises – is helpful, but this alone will not be enough to provide a long-term solution to this crisis. But new strategies offer hope – by adopting a shared-care partnership model, for example, community-based services will be able to step in to relieve some of the pressure on the NHS. We see this approach as absolutely key to reducing the burden on the NHS and helping ensure patients get treatment faster.

What are the key effects the backlog has on patients? Are these mainly physical or psychological impacts?

Research has highlighted that for every 82 patients spending between six and eight hours in A&E, one would come to avoidable harm. It’s clear, then, that backlogs are having a profound effect on patient health.

This is especially true for patients who require eye care treatment – where the turnaround for surgery often needs to be quicker. For example, the NHS recommends that cataract surgery patients do not wait for more than 18 weeks for treatment, but the average wait time for cataract surgery was nine months in 2021.

Research has revealed that a delay in treatment can lead to further eyesight issues and an increased risk of complications – which can have severe effects on the quality of life of patients – on mental, emotional, and physical levels. In fact, 22 patients a month lost their vision in 2021 as a result of waiting too long for surgery. Therefore, it is essential that the delivery of high-quality and efficient care for all patients is prioritised.

Which community-based services can support the NHS?

Community-based healthcare offers a variety of services and already provides support for around 100 million patients a year. And since community-based services have increased capacity, they are likely to be able to offer efficient and high-quality care within their communities more quickly – which can help to reduce pressure on the NHS. 

Community-based care supports the NHS by offering elective care in local settings. CHEC’s ophthalmology services, for example, provide essential eyecare treatments in the heart of local communities – with CHEC treating more than half a million patients waiting for eyecare services in the UK.

CHEC is helping to digitise healthcare with their patient booking app – how does the app improve the patient journey?

We recently launched a patient booking app as one of our key initiatives to reduce NHS backlogs. The fact that the app allows patients on-the-go access to booking appointments means that they can be seen as quickly as possible. The app also determines how urgent an appointment is by allowing patients to instantly book the best slot for them.

Here at CHEC, we are always looking for new and innovative approaches to offer the best possible service to our patients. Improving the patient journey is at the heart of all we do, and with the introduction of the app, we have been able to minimise the likelihood of cancellations or missed appointments – which makes a difference to the accessibility and efficiency of our services.

Do you think it will catch on around the country, and is technology the key to beating the backlog?

Our world is increasingly reliant on technology, and the pandemic prompted an acceleration in the uptake of digital services across all sectors. However, a digital revolution specifically in healthcare is integral to making services accessible to all. Prioritising this will help healthcare leaders to implement more effective, and long-term, solutions to tackling backlogs.

CHEC’s patient booking app is already being used by over 50% of our patients, and we have already seen how successful it has been in reducing the number of cancelled and no-show appointments within our services. If the NHS app, for example, was developed to include the option for users to book appointments with alternative services, like community-based care providers, this could make a massive difference to the current waiting times.

It’s critical, however, that when increasing digital uptake, we do not overlook patients who are unable or unwilling to use technology. Many prefer to use traditional methods of communication and engagement and it’s imperative that providers recognise that.

Could you tell us more about CHEC’s Home to Hospital™ transport services?

A recent survey revealed that 31% of adults found it hard to access healthcare during the pandemic, so our Home to Hospital™ service is another initiative that focuses on tailoring healthcare services to meet the individual needs of patients. Our Home to Hospital™ service offers our patients transportation to and from their eyecare surgery and appointments. Our minibuses are run by local drivers who have received training to enable them to support patients before and after their appointments. The service has been particularly beneficial in making treatment and surgery more accessible for patients who are elderly, and those with disabilities. Addressing healthcare inequalities is one of our main priorities, and the Home to Hospital™ service is another example of our mission to deliver patient-focused care in action.

Imran Rahman, thank you very much for speaking to Eye News.

See the original article here.

CHEC launches brand new endoscopy service to help ease growing NHS backlogs.

CHEC has launched a new endoscopy service as it expands beyond its renowned eyecare services. These will provide high-quality and efficient services to help ease NHS backlogs which are impacting nearly half a million patients.[1]

With endoscopy activity dropping by 90% since the onset of the pandemic, CHEC’s provision of endoscopy services will aid in easing this backlog and ensure patients receive the care they need.[2]

The endoscopy services debuted in Nottingham on April 14^th and since the launch, CHEC has been working closely with Nottingham University Hospital to deliver high-quality and efficient services.

CHEC’s endoscopy facilities utilise brand new state-of-the-art equipment including endoscopes, irrigation pumps, ColoAssist, CO2 insufflator systems and have on-site decontamination and sterilisation services to ensure IPC compliance.

Jon Dore, Chief Operating Officer at CHEC, commented on the opening saying: “The launch of our endoscopy services to people in Nottinghamshire is an exciting milestone for CHEC. We have worked hard to ensure that our patients will receive outstanding care, in keeping with the very high standards of care we provide to patients using our ophthalmology services.”

He added: “We are confident that we can make a huge difference in bringing our efficient, bespoke services to patients in need of diagnostic endoscopy services. We also plan to expand our endoscopy services across the country, so we can further support the NHS in tackling the backlog of patients who require these critical services.”

The launch of endoscopy services follows CHEC’s large-scale expansion of facilities, with new sites across the Midlands, Dorset, and Newcastle. The investment in new sites has enabled CHEC to support local communities across the country with vital healthcare services. Following CHEC’s successful launch of endoscopy services in Nottingham, it plans to expand to other locations in 2022.

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/feb/06/nhs-england-waiting-times-for-cancer-referral-and-treatment-at-record-high

[2] https://www.msn.com/en-gb?refurl=%2fen-gb%2fhealth%2fmedical%2fuk-could-have-thousands-of-extra-cancer-deaths-due-to-covid-delaying-500-000-endoscopies%2far-BB1eIUSa%3ffromMaestro%3dtrue

Dear patients,

In line with government guidelines, please follow the guidelines below:

If you are having an outpatient appointment for any reason, please follow point 1 below:

1. If you have any of the following symptoms, please do not attend your appointment.  Please cancel the appointment and arrange a lateral flow test (LFT). Let the clinic know that you will need to rebook.
   • A temperature of greater than 37.8 degrees
   • Persistent new cough
   • Loss of sense of smell and taste

If you are having cataract surgery, undertake a COVID-19 test prior to your surgery.  Please follow the instructions below:

1. Please order a test at least 10 days before the appointment to allow time for the test to be undertaken.  This can be ordered from the link here: https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests
2. The test should be undertaken 3 days before the procedure date.
3. You should socially distance yourself for 3 days prior to surgery.
4. Please provide proof of the test by logging the result on the gov.uk website, where you will receive an email or text to verify the test result once you have entered your result. This must be brought with the patient on the day of admission.

We thank you for your patience and understanding. Stay safe!

CHEC has announced the launch of a new centre in Gateshead Metrocentre. With 100,000 people currently waiting for treatment in Newcastle and Gateshead hospitals, the new centre will provide vital eye care services to help ease the regional backlog in the North East.  

Commenting on the new centre, Jon Dore said: “The launch of our new Newcastle Gateshead site is a very exciting step in our ongoing aim to provide efficient and high-quality ophthalmology services across the country. Our local eyecare services will offer support in addressing the regional backlogs faced by Newcastle and Gateshead. And with some patients facing waiting times as long as two years for crucial services, our new centre will help ensure that patients receive the care they need.”

In the wake of the pandemic, ophthalmology is facing significant backlogs, with over half a million people currently waiting for ophthalmology services. The NHS cannot be left to deal with these backlogs alone, so CHEC’s new treatment centre in Gateshead will support the NHS in addressing these growing delays by providing eye care services for the local community.

To mark the upcoming opening of the new Newcastle Gateshead treatment centre, CHEC will be hosting a face-to-face CPD open evening on Tuesday 28^th June 7 pm-9 pm,  where local optometrists will be introduced to the new site – register for your place today.  

Attending optometrists will also have the opportunity to gain one CPD point by taking part in a highly anticipated CPD seminar discussing Global Perspectives on Glaucoma, which will be hosted by CHEC’s CEO and Consultant Ophthalmologist, Imran Rahman.

With the first patients expected in the Gateshead Metrocentre in early June, this new centre opening follows other recent openings and forms part of CHEC’s wider drive to deliver new centres across the country, as well as its continued ambition to support the NHS in reducing backlogs and providing patients with efficient and high-quality care.

This week, CHEC New Cross is celebrating one year since its first cataract surgery.

In the last 12 months, the hospital staff have treated an incredible 6,664 patients, providing a wide range of ophthalmic services:

We are so proud of our hard-working team for making the first year a success.

The New Cross team had a fantastic time celebrating with patients.

Congratulations Samea and team New Cross, roll on the next 12 months!   

CHEC has been announced as the winner of the ‘Most Engaging Stand’ at the recent 100% Optical event, for which it was the entrance sponsor. 100% Optical is the largest ophthalmology event in the UK and was hosted between the 23^rd and 25^th of April at London’s ExCeL Centre. The event was attended by over 4,000 optometrists, 1,000 practice owners and 2,000 dispensing opticians.

Commenting on the award win, Jon Dore, CHEC COO, said, “We are very excited to be the winners of the ‘most engaging stand’ award at such a respected and prestigious event for the ophthalmology industry, and the accolade is truly reflective of the level of innovation and ambition across CHEC. We are already looking forward to exhibiting again at 100% Optical 2023!”

CHEC’s highly innovative stand provided event attendees with the opportunity to conduct cataract surgery on a demonstration model in a dry lab, provided by Théa Pharmaceuticals. Imran Rahman, CHEC CEO, awarded an iPad to the best surgeon each day.

A competition winner said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of conducting cataract surgery at CHEC’s dry lab and would love to do it again. It was the best part about 100% Optical by a long shot, and I hope CHEC can exhibit again at next year’s event.”

Imran Rahman also hosted a CPD seminar entitled “Managing the COVID-19 backlog in ophthalmology”, where he explored the role of community-based approaches to healthcare in reducing NHS waiting lists, which have dramatically increased during the pandemic.

CHEC was joined on stage by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), a charity offering support and advice to two million people in the UK experiencing sight loss. CHEC recently partnered with RNIB to ensure Eye Care Liaison Officers are on hand at sites to provide tailored practical and emotional support to patients.

Overall, the event was a huge success for CHEC and we can’t wait to be back in 2023!

CHEC is pleased to announce that it will be the entrance sponsor for the upcoming 100% Optical event at ExCel, London. 100% Optical is the largest ophthalmology event in the UK and is expected to attract over 9,500 visitors and over 200 exhibitors between the 23rd and 25th of April.

As a major sponsor, CHEC will have a stand at the event with a dry lab, providing the opportunity for volunteers to practise cataract surgery on a demonstration model. Imran Rahman, CEO and consultant ophthalmologist, will award an iPad to the best surgeon each day.

Imran Rahman will also be hosting a discussion at 09.30 on the 24th of April on “Managing the COVID-19 backlog in ophthalmology”, where he will explore the role community-based approaches to healthcare have in reducing NHS waiting lists.

Speaking about the event, Imran Rahman said, “We are very excited to be the entrance sponsors for 100% Optical, a respected and prestigious event in the ophthalmology industry. We would welcome attendees to come to visit us at stand L430 and try out our unique dry lab. I am honoured to be hosting a discussion on managing the COVID-19 backlog, something that lies at the very core of what we aim to do at CHEC through our community-based approaches to healthcare.”

CHEC will be joined at the event by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), a charity offering support and advice to two million people in the UK experiencing sight loss. CHEC has recently partnered with RNIB to ensure Eye Care Liaison Officers will be on hand at sites to provide tailored practical and emotional support to patients.

CHEC’s sponsorship and provision of further services mark CHEC’s successful efforts in growing and raising awareness of the importance of accessible healthcare.