ICB pauses patient choice on Ophthalmology Referrrals

ICB pauses patient choice on Ophthalmology Referrrals

Cheshire and Merseyside ICB has decided to impose a “temporary suspension of elective ophthalmology referrals” to independent sector providers (ISPs).

In a December update, the ICB explained that it believes ISPs are seeing too many patients. It goes on to assert that this is “having a destabilising effect on services provided by the NHS”.

The update highlights potential confusion at an ICB level regarding NHS provision, NHS bodies, NHS-commissioned services, and the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). It also appears that the ICB currently regards offering patients a choice of “a minimum of five NHS providers” will ensure compliance with regulations.

It is unclear whether the ICB’s proposed changes will be free from regulatory challenge, given that the consultant-led services in question are awarded under direct award process B (under the PSR), which can only be used where there is unrestricted patient choice of provider for a service.