FOI 1626 – Papilloedema and Headache
FOI Reference Number:
1626
Request
“Papill(o)edema refers to swelling of the optic nerves at the back of both eyes caused by raised intracranial pressure. Sometimes this is described as blurred disc margins, raised disc margins, indistinct disc margins, or optic disc swelling. Some patients may have no symptoms, some have visual symptoms and others have headaches. Additionally, patients with headaches are often screened for signs of raised intracranial pressure, such as papilloedema.
We would like to find out how adults and children with papilloedema or headaches are handled in the community, and which secondary care services they may be referred to.
1. Where do community referrals of adults and children with papilloedema to secondary care come from?
Please could you provide details of the referral process for patients with papilloedema from the community in the table below (you may expand the size of the boxes to fit your text). We have assumed that most cases of papilloedema will be picked up by different types of primary eye care professional. However, if this does not apply in your area, please provide details of the sources of referrals of papilloedema in the row marked “Other”.
Please indicate which primary eye care service(s) you have commissioned in your area?
(Y/N) What type of contract do you have with this type of primary (eye) care service? Can this service directly refer patients with papilloedema to secondary care, i.e., not via GP?
(Y, N or N/A) What is the typical urgency for referral and timeframe?
(e.g., an urgent referral to be seen within 2 weeks? 4 weeks? etc.) How are these referrals made?
(e.g., email, letter, electronic referral system – please indicate all that apply)
Are these referrals screened before reaching secondary care?
Please provide the details of any screening methods that apply in your area Are digital eye images screened in the triage process?
Please provide the details of any screening methods that apply in your area
Y GP N/A N/A
Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS)
Community
Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES)
Community Optometrist
Other (please specify)
2. If there are established referral pathways or guidelines for papilloedema could you please provide a copy, or the directions for accessing them online if available?
3. Could you please provide the name(s) of the secondary care provision(s) that accept referrals of adults and children with papilloedema?
4. Where do community referrals of adults and children with headache to secondary care come from?
Please could you provide details of the community referral process for patients with headache in the table below (you may expand the size of the boxes to fit your text). We are interested to know whether patients who have headache + papilloedema are handled differently to those without papilloedema.
Primary care service Can this service directly refer patients with headache to secondary care, i.e., not via GP?
(Y/N) What is the typical urgency for referral and timeframe if papilloedema is present?
(e.g., urgent referral to be seen within 2 or 4 weeks) What is the typical urgency for referral and timeframe if papilloedema is NOT present? (i.e. headache alone)
(e.g., urgent referral to be seen within 2 or 4 weeks)
How are these referrals made?
(e.g., email, letter, electronic referral system- please indicate all that apply)
Are these referrals screened before reaching secondary care?
(e.g., virtually / electronically )
Please provide the details of any screening methods that apply in your area
GP N/A
Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS)
Community
Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES)
Community Optometrist
Other (please specify)
4. If there are established referral pathways or guidelines for headache could you please provide a copy, or the directions for accessing them online if available?
5. Could you please provide the name(s) of the secondary care provision(s) that accept referrals of adults and children with headache + papilloedema?
6. Could you please provide the name(s) of the secondary care provision(s) that accept referrals of adults and children with headache?”
Response
Date: 24 August
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – DECISION NOTICE
Dear Sir / Madam,
FOI Reference Number: 1626
Please see letter response for completed table.
I hope that this answers your queries with the information we currently hold, but if I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your original letter and should be addressed to:
NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB
FOI Team
Scarsdale
Nightingale Close
Newbold
Chesterfield
S41 7PF
Or:
If you are not content with the outcome of our review, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB).
The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information Commissioners Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF, telephone 0303 123 1113, email casework@ico.org.uk.
Yours faithfully,
Kathryn Jacklin
FOI Officer
Derby and Derbyshire ICB
All information we have provided is subject to the provisions of the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015. Accordingly, if the information has been made available for re-use under the Open Government Licence (OGL) a request to re-use is not required, but the licence conditions must be met. You must not re-use any previously unreleased information without having the consent from the ICB. Should you wish to re-use previously unreleased information then you must make your request in writing (email will suffice) to the FOI Lead via ddicb.foi@nhs.net. All requests for re-use will be responded to within 20 working days of receipt.
