About Us
Choose & Book
Choose and Book is a national service that, for the first time combines electronic booking and a choice of place, date and time for first outpatient appointments. It revolutionises the old booking system, by allowing patients to choose their initial hospital appointment, and book it on the spot in the surgery or later on the phone or via the internet.
For more information visit the Choose and Book website
Information for GPs
We want to help you and your practice make the most of Choose and Book and the services offered by The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We produce a regular newsletter featuring updates on services provided as well as keeping you up to date with latest national developments.
November 2008 Newsletter - Focus on Ophthalmology
At Newcastle Hospitals we are very keen that we are able to sort out patients’ ophthalmology problems as quickly as possible. In recent years we have developed many sub-specialist services (squint, glaucoma etc) run by specific consultants. In addition, dedicated pathways have been set up (such as for cataract) to ensure that patients are seen quickly and receive high quality treatment.
It is essential that patients are booked into the correct service. If this does not happen then there is a high likelihood that the patient will have to be referred on to another consultant. This may delay the patient’s treatment and could result in an additional New Patient charge.
The most important services are:
| Presentation | Clinic Type | Typical Service |
| Cataract | Cataract | Cataract |
| Glaucoma (includes raised IOP, disc cupping, field loss) | Glaucoma | Glaucoma diagnostic |
| Strabismus (squint, double vision) | Adult Strabismus | Adult strabismus |
| Lid problems (entropion, ptosis etc) | Oculoplastic / Orbit / Lacrimal | Lid clinic |
| Lacrimal problems | Oculoplastic / Orbit / Lacrimal | Lacrimal clinic |
| Minor lid (cysts etc) | Oculoplastic / Orbit / Lacrimal | Nurse led cyst |
| Diabetic retinopathy | Diabetic Medical Retina | Diabetic |
Some services available only at the RVI
Note that some services (YAG laser for capsule thickening, low vision aids) are only available at the RVI.
Please do not use the Clinic Type “Not otherwise specified” unless none of the more specific clinic types appear appropriate. “Not otherwise specified” should only be used for non-specific symptoms such as unexplained visual loss, other visual symptoms, ocular discomfort etc.
Children's and Adolescents Services
All children must be booked through a CLINIC TYPE in the SPECIALTY “Children’s and Adolescent services” (not the SPECIALTY “Ophthalmology”).| Presentation | Clinic Type | Typical Service |
| Definite squint or amblyopia | Ophthalmology / Strabismus | Paediatric Strabismus |
| ?Squint (Orthoptic opinion sought) | Ophthalmology / Orthoptist | Orthoptic |
| Non-squint problems | Ophthalmology / General Paediatric | Paediatric Ophthalmology |
Nick Strong, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Choose and Book Lead
