I N D U S T R Y I N V E S T I G A T I O N
workforce must be considered vital to implementing and overseeing the necessary changes. The introduction of new tech is not always required for NHS ophthalmologists to produce significant improvements.
“ Indeed, NHS Tayside’ s ophthalmology service was able to double the number of cataract surgical procedures that could be carried out daily thanks to groundbreaking ideation.”
The improvements by the ophthalmology team at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee included the ability to carry out simultaneous bilateral surgery on patients with cataracts in both eyes.
In other words, when a patient has cataracts in both eyes, the team removes both of them during a single appointment rather than removing one cataract and then bringing the patient back for a second appointment to remove the other.
The team also sped up its theatre model by introducing a double nursing team working on a‘ tag team’ basis to support the surgeon, in turn cutting down time in between patients and allowing the completion of between 24 to 32 procedures in a single day.
Collectively, this turned Tayside into the best performing health board in Scotland for cataract surgery.
More innovative solutions are needed to tackle growing pressure on NHS eye care across Scotland with ideas welcomed through InnoScot Health’ s ophthalmology innovation call. It offers a package of support for NHS Scotland staff including advice and guidance in areas of intellectual property protection, regulation, funding, project management, and commercialisation.
The organisation has supported and worked with innovators on solutions including Peekaboo Vision, an app created by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and the iGrading platform, a diabetic retinopathy screening tool developed alongside NHS Grampian and the University of Aberdeen. �
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