Interested in Enhanced Services?
Information on how to get involved as a practice or practitioner:
Salford Referrals
Opera Electronic Referrral System
All referrals by practitioners within Greater Manchester for a patient with a Greater Manchester GP should be made through the Opera electronic referral platform. This will route the referral appropriately and also enables patient demographic and GP look-up.
The referral information below is for information and for the use of practitioners outside Greater Manchester who have a GM patient, or for practitioners within GM only if Opera is unavailable for some reason.
Practices outside the GM border that see GM Patients can register for the Opera GOS18 function. Where Opera is already used for extended services this will be an easy addition.
You can find information on the urgency of referrals in Greater Manchester here:
Download pdf Guidance on the Urgency of Referrals in GM
This page provides referral details for patients registered with a GP in Manchester CCG. For patients outside this area, use the GP search to find which CCG area protocols to follow and then consult that area's referral page
Click on the headings below for more information.
- Routine referrals
Routine referrals that are not part of an extended service (e.g. cataract,) go via the GOS18 tab on Opera. You should assume it will be up to 3 months before the patient is seen. "Soon/Urgent" is not generally recognised by GPs or by HES appointments, so for anything that you feel is more urgent you should still send your referral using the GOS18 tab on Opera but following the Emergency Eye Referrals protocol below.
Patients already under careIn cases where a patient is already under the care of an ophthalmologist and a new routine condition has arisen, you should write to the ophthalmologist rather than re-refer.
An electronic GOS18 template is available here for those without access to Opera for referrals:
Learn More Electronic GOS18 template
- Emergency eye referrals
If you feel a patient needs to be seen urgently you can refer to MREH or Bolton (see end of section):
You should always phone to request confirmation of receipt of a faxed referral.
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital Emergency Eye Department (EED)
Patients should be sent to MREH EED only after the patient case has been discussed with the department or where the presenting complaint falls under the red section of the referral guidance document.Download pdf Guidance on the Urgency of Referrals in GM
Optometrists, who have referred a patient via Opera for an EED opinion should wait for feedback via Opera - more detail below.
Please give the the patient a referral letter to take with them.
Contact details:
08:00 - 20:00 every day including Bank Holidays
Tel: 0161 276 5597/5599 for advice onlyWhere a patient attends with acute onset eye problems and your practice does not deliver CUES, a referral to CUES may be the most appropriate outcome for the patient. Please see the Primary Eyecare Services website CUES page for more information.
Please consult this webpage frequently for updates regarding the telephone numbers as the phone system is currently under review
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Tel: 01204 487 577 (Option 1)
NHSMail: Boh-tr.BoltonAcuteOphthalmicReferrals@nhs.netIf you feel a patient requires to be seen urgently you can phone the Bolton Eye Unit on 01204 487 577 (Option 1) and ask for advice.
- Wet AMD
If your patient meets the criteria for potential wet AMD treatment, then you can refer to the MREH Emergency Macula Service (EMAC) or to Bolton.
The referral criteria for the Wet AMD service are a less than 3 month history of any of the following:
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• Visual loss.
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• Spontaneously reported distortion.
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• Onset of scotoma (or blurred spot) in central vision.
The vision should be better than 6/96 in the affected eye.
EMAC If your patient meets the criteria for potencial wet AMD treatment then you can refer to the MREH Emergency Macula Service (EMAC). Please refer via Opera and include a phone number for the patient so the administration team at MREH can contact them with an appointment. Please print off a copy of the patient information form and give this to the patient.
If you don’t have Opera access. Please refer by completing the form below and send via your “nhs.net” email account.
Download Form EMAC Referral Form.pdf
Download Form EMAC Patient Information Form.pdf
Email: mft.macular@nhs.net - only secure if sent from an nhs.net account
*retinal vein occlusions with macular oedema may also be sent via this pathway. All retinal vein occlusions regardless of referral pathway require a referral to GP for systemic work up.
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Tel: 01204 390 390 (ext. 390112)
NHSMail: Boh-tr.BoltonAcuteOphthalmicReferrals@nhs.netPatient identifiable information should only be sent by email if both ends are NHSMail (i.e. xx@nhs.net)
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- Cataract
Cataract referral is via the extended service provided by Primary Eyecare Services. Any patient with cataract who you feel will require surgery should be managed using the Opera online IT system. The referral will be directed automatically by the system to the chosen treatment centre.
If you do not participate in the service, or are out of the area, a practice for pre cat can be found by using OPERA GOS18 – primary care services – pre cat. You should call the practice to check they will see the patient before referring it on OPERA.
Post-operative cataract assessment and reporting is also via the Primary Eyecare service and Opera
If you do not participate in the service or are out of the area, you must send the patient to one of the accredited optometrists with a copy of the referral letter.
- CUES- Urgent Eyecare Service
If your practice does not participate in this service, then eye problems such as:
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• Red or painful eye or eyelids
• Recently occurring flashes and floaters
• Recent and sudden loss of vision
• Foreign body in the eye
should be referred to one of the CUES accredited optometry practices.
Full details and a practice search are available on the Primary Eyecare Services website CUES page here
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- Referrals for Retinal Vein Occlusions
CRVO and BRVO with haemorrhaging at the fovea should be sent urgently to the MREH Emergency Macula Service (EMAC).
CRVO and BRVO with haemorrhaging at the fovea should be sent urgently to the MREH Emergency Macula Service (EMAC).
EMAC Emergency macula referrals can be made direct to the EMAC service, so the patients can have scans and images taken quickly to make a diagnosis and initiate a treatment plan.
Please refer via Opera and include a phone number for the patient so the administration team at MREH can contact them with an appointment. Please print off a copy of the patient information form and give this to the patient
If you don’t have Opera access. Please refer by completing the form below and send via your “nhs.net” email account.
Download Form EMAC Referral Form.pdf
Download Form Emac patient information form.pdf
Email: mft.macular@nhs.net - only secure if sent from an nhs.net account
*retinal vein occlusions with macular oedema may also be sent via this pathway. All retinal vein occlusions regardless of referral pathway require a referral to GP for systemic work up.
- Community Orthoptic Services
Orthoptic referrals can be made to the Salford community orthoptic service using Opera. Practices outside the area and without access to Opera for referrals should use the email address below.
Orthoptic DepartmentSalford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Salford Care Organisation
3rd Floor Sandringham House
Windsor Street
Salford
M5 4DG
Secure email: srft.orthoptic@nca.nhs.uk(only send from an NHSMail address) - Suspect Glaucoma / OHT
Glaucoma repeat readings (GRR) In cases of raised IOP and/or suspicious visual fields in the absence of any other signs of glaucoma the pressures or visual fields should be repeated on one or two occasions using Goldmann or Perkins tonometry or full threshold visual field testing as per the extended service provided by Primary Eyecare Services. The results are reported, and fees claimed, via the Opera online IT system.
If the pressure is still raised after the 2nd repeat, or the visual field shows repeatable glaucoma suspicion, then the patient will be referred to the HES glaucoma clinic.
If you have a patient with raised pressure or suspect visual fields, and you do not take part in the extended service, you must refer them to a GERS optometrist for further assessment. Follow the referral information for GERS detailed below.
Glaucoma Enhanced Referral Service (GERS) The Glaucoma Enhanced Referral Service now uses a Single Point of Access (SPoA) for patients. Greater Manchester patients eligible for GERS should be be referred to the PES GERS single point of access (SPoA) and NOT directly to a GERS practice. You should use the:
"PRIMARY EYECARE SERVICES – GLAUCOMA ENHANCED REFERRAL SERVICE (GERS)"
option on Opera’s GOS18 module.Remember that hospitals may reject referrals if they have not come through the correct pathway.
Acute Angle Closure GlaucomaAcute angle closure glaucoma and/or IOPS of >32mmHg is an emergency referral and is NOT suitable for GERS.
Patients with Narrow Angles Only: These patients are not suitable for GRR/GERS. Instead, please refer to the "PACS+" guidance for appropriate management. Detailed information about PACS+ is available on the College of Optometrists website.
Learn MorePatients already under HES care for OHT or GlaucomaThese patients are not suitable for GERS.
Out of AreaPatients from outside the area should be referred according to their own area's protocol.
Practices outside the area and without access to Opera for referrals can find a list of participating practices using the link below. Use a referral letter and provide full details as you would for a GP referral.
Learn More Find a Practice
- Safeguarding Children & Adults in Salford
Safeguarding in the Salford Area for Children (0-18 years)
If you have concerns that a child or young person is at risk of or being abused or neglected you can contact the Salford Safeguarding Children's Board to report your concern:
Tel: 0161 603 4500(Bridge Partnership - Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm)
Tel: 0161 794 8888 (Outside office hours and weekends and public holidays- Emergency Duty Team)
http://www.partnersinsalford.org/sscb/contactus.htm
Safeguarding in the Salford Area for Adults If you have concerns that an adult is at risk of or is being abused/neglected you can report your concern on the telephone numbers below.
Salford Adult Social Care Contact Team
Tel: 0161 631 4777 Email: worriedaboutanadult@salford.gov.ukAdult Social Care Emergency Duty Team (out of hours)
Tel: 0161 794 8888 4.30pm to 8.00am weekdays and 24 hours over weekends and bank holidaysCCG Lead Nurse Adult Safeguarding
Tel: 0161 212 5657 http://www.partnersinsalford.org/as-contacts.htm
The Optical Confederation has guidance on safeguarding:
Download Guidance on Safeguarding
Confirmation of reading this OC guidance is equivalent to Level 1 training for non-professional practice staff.
The NICE link for a child maltreatment quick reference guide is:
Learn More Child Maltreatment Guidance
Online training packages for both children and adults are available from DOCET free of charge for all practitioners with GOC registration at
Learn More Enrol Children Safeguarding Level 2
Learn More Enrol Adults Safeguarding Level 2
Female Genital Mutilation
As of 31 October 2015, the Department of Health has introduced a duty for all healthcare professionals to report any case of female genital mutilation in girls (FGM) under the age of 18 to the police.
FGM is considered as child abuse, and is illegal under UK law. It is now a legal duty for healthcare professionals to report any cases they may suspect or be made aware of. For optometrists and dispensing opticians, one scenario in which FGM could come to their attention is if a child tells them that it has happened to them.
Full guidance, posters and other resources can be found on the Department of Health's website at:
Learn More FGM Mandatory Reporting-in-Healthcare
- Strokes & TIAs
Current symptoms of an acute stroke or acute TIA require a 999 call and emergency transfer of the patient to hospital.
Where a patient has a past history of a TIA, with symptoms that have fully resolved, they should be advised to consult their GP as soon as possible.
Learn More See Stokes - Low Vision & Sight Loss Services
Community Optometrist-based Low Vision Services
The Salford Low Vision (LV) service is now delivered by four community-based practices in the Salford area. Patients requiring a Low Vision assessment can be referred via the OPERA platform system to one of these participating practices.
Please note: These services are provided by community practitioners and are not offered at local hospitals.
Sight Loss Support Service (RNIB)
With the agreement of the patient you can refer them to the RNIB Sight Loss Support Pathway through the Opera GOS18 module:
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• Priority: Routine
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• Speciality: Ophthalmology
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• Clinic type: Sight Loss Support Service
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• Provider: RNIB advice & Support
You can access the support flow diagram here
Download Sight Loss Support Flow Diagram
The RNIB support booklet is here
Download RNIB Support BookletSocial Services
The Low Vision Leaflet (LVL) for putting visually impaired people in touch with Salford social services can be downloaded here.
Download Form Low Vision LeafletIt should be sent to:
Adult Health & Social Care Team
1st Floor Unity House
Chorley Road
Swinton
M27 5AWInformation is available from:
Visual Impairment Sensory Team
Salford Health & Social Care Division
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Burrows House
10 Priestley Road
Yardley Business park
Salford
M28 2LYTel: 0161 631 4777
The Sightline Directory allows you to search for support services for a patient by town or postcode, and by type of service if you wish.
Learn More Sightline Directory -