Ophthalmology and eye care

NHS Confederation Ophthalmology Programme – Surrey Heartlands

Ophthalmology services in Surrey Heartlands are under increasing pressure. Rising demand, long waiting times and unwarranted variation in access place patients at risk of avoidable sight loss and create significant pressure on hospital services.

Working with system partners, Surrey Heartlands is redesigning eye care services to be more equitable, digitally enabled and delivered closer to home, with a strong focus on improving patient outcomes and long-term sustainability.

In October 2025, NHS Surrey Heartlands was selected as one of eight systems nationally to take part in the NHS Confederation – Bringing Eye Care Closer to Home programme. The programme offers:

• peer support across participating systems
• shared learning from national and local best practice
• expert advice to support clinically led, system-wide transformation
• support for systems to review current eye care pathways and develop future models that improve access, quality and efficiency.

Glaucoma is an eye condition where the main nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged. It's most common in adults aged 50 and over and can cause vision loss if it's not diagnosed and treated early.

While the Bringing Eye Care Closer to Home programme considers eye care more broadly, Surrey Heartlands is initially focusing on redesigning the glaucoma pathway. This includes how:

• referrals and triage can be improved
• stable glaucoma patients can be safely monitored closer to home
• hospital capacity can be protected for people with complex or high-risk needs
• digital tools and shared imaging can support safer, more joined-up care

This work is being shaped by data, clinical insight and engagement with patients and partners across the system.

What we are aiming to achieve

Through this programme, we want to:

• improve outcomes and reduce the risk of avoidable sight loss
• reduce unwarranted variation in access across Surrey Heartlands
• relieve pressure on hospital ophthalmology services
• make better use of community, primary and specialist capacity
• improve patient experience through clearer, more joined-up pathways

Who is involved

The programme is system-led and brings together a wide range of partners, including:

• NHS commissioners (Surrey Heartlands ICB)
• NHS provider trusts delivering ophthalmology services
• community optometry representatives
• primary care colleagues
• NHS Confederation programme team and appointed advisors

A dedicated project group oversees the glaucoma pathway redesign. This group meets regularly to guide the work, review evidence and agree next steps.  In line with our commitment to transparency, meeting notes and papers are available on request by emailing the Transformation and Improvement team.

We welcome interest from clinicians, providers, partners, patients and others who may wish to contribute to this work. Please contact the Transformation and Improvement team to find out more.

This programme is not a procurement exercise. It is a service redesign and improvement programme focused on developing a shared future vision and evidence-based pathways for eye care. Any future commissioning or procurement activity would be subject to separate processes, appropriate governance and full compliance with NHS procurement and competition regulations.