Service changes arising from the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion decant.
Important notice of changes to ophthalmology services in Lothian.
The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion is closing on 25 October 2024, for an estimated period of 6 months.
This is to enable urgent essential maintenance repairs.
The entire building will be closed to all staff and patients, and no access will be possible.
As a consequence, the ophthalmology clinics, theatres, and other services will be relocated to other sites across Lothian.
This includes the Lauriston Building (across the road), but also St Johns Hospital (OPD1, Ward 20, and the Wallace Burns Unit) and East Lothian Community Hospital. There will also be additional clinics running at the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People, and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DCN) – both on the site of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Patients who are referred to ophthalmology may need to attend one or more of these sites for treatment.
We recognise the inconvenience of this change, but it is outwith our control.
More information on appointments, specific services, and travel:
https://www.nhslothian.scot/goingtohospital/the-princess-alexandra-eye-pavilion
Referring to Ophthalmology
The processes for referring remain unchanged.
– SCI Gateway referrals as at present.
– The Emergency triage phone-line for patients who need to be seen within 72 hours will remain 0131 536 3751 (Edinburgh) and 01506 524 286 (SJH, West Lothian).
Patient enquiries
Patients with any queries such as enquiring about their appointment should contact the waiting list office on 0131 537 1340 (+option 2)
For more information please see https://news.nhslothian.scot/2024/10/09/key-moves-for-eye-pavilion-services/
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Services
We run specialist clinics where a variety of new and return patients are seen. The information you provide in your referral about the likely diagnosis will help us to place patients in the correct clinic.
Services available at the Eye Pavilion
Visibility Scotland Patient Support Service.pdf
Low Visual Aid Clinic.pdf
Acute referral clinic (ARC)
Information for attending appointments
Optometrists are an integral part of community eye services. Many ophthalmic conditions, in both adults and children, can be diagnosed, managed and observed with the expertise of our primary care optometry colleagues.
There is no minimum age for children to see an optometrist, however some optometrists may feel more comfortable seeing and assessing children than others. There are certainly some optometrists who are very experienced with paediatrics. It is recommended that parents phone around and enquire, as some opticians may recommend booking with a particular optometrist at a particular practice.
Who to refer:
Please see Lothian GP and optometry ophthalmology referral pathway.
Urgency of the condition for details on how soon patients should receive an appointment.
Please see condition specific information for descriptions and management of many common ophthalmological conditions.
Patients who present with a problem with their only seeing eye should be advised to see an optician/ophthalmologist for review.
Who not to refer:
Amaurosis fugax – please refer to the neurovascular clinic. Please assess vascular risk factors including blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) – if there are no visual symptoms please discuss with the rheumatology department.
Some routine conditions can be managed in primary care (GP and optometrists) e.g. conjunctivitis, abrasions, allergy and dry eyes. Additionally, herpes zoster ophthalmicus without eye involvement can often be managed in primary care. Consider getting an assessment by an experienced optometrist. Optometrists can provide appointments for patients as part of the General Ophthalmic Services Contract and are required to see emergency patients in a timely manner.
How to refer:
We require a referral letter for EVERY patient.
The preferred referral process is via SCI Gateway. If sending/forwarding a referral via SCI gateway please include past medical history, allergies and medications
If you do not have access to fax or SCI Gateway e.g. if you have arranged an appointment out of hours please send a written referral letter with the patient to bring to their appointment.
Only if SCI Gateway is unavailable should a letter be typed or handwritten. Please write legibly and include your examination findings.
If you have arranged an appointment in the acute referral clinic and you are referring from within another hospital in Lothian please use TRAK to type the referral letter.
