Award win for collaborative eye care project which is improving care and leading the way nationally
Gloucestershire’s innovative eye health team have been recognised for their excellent partnership working and creative use of technology for a project which is supporting joined up care closer to home and saving the NHS money.
The team’s digital project, the first of its kind in the country when it was launched three years ago, won the Most Impactful Use of Technology on Clinical Practice category at the Health Service Journal Partnership Awards 2025
The system, OphthalSuite Community Ophthalmic Link, developed by BlueWorks OIMS alongside NHS Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Gloucestershire Local Optical Committee, enables community optometrists to access patient’s eye health records quickly and securely.
Launched by the NHS in Gloucestershire in 2022, the project has already seen great results.
Community optometrists can now access secondary care (hospital) eye examination results in real-time, and search information and statistics, including comparing all exams and ophthalmic imaging taken over different periods. Clinicians also have secure access to view patient’s ophthalmology data including photos, scans, videos, metadata, GP letters and care plans.
The success of the project means Gloucestershire is the first area in the country to provide complete digital records to optometrists working in the community, which has a direct impact on improving referrals and quality of care across the county.
Kerry O’Hara, Programme Director,Clinical Programmes at NHS Gloucestershire, has helped lead the project. She said:
“We are now three years into the Community Ophthalmic Link Project, and we are so proud of the difference it is making. This award recognises the difference we can make working in partnership with our colleagues at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Gloucestershire Local Optical Committee, as well as the people with lived experience who have helped shape and develop the project.
“We know patients are benefiting from care closer to home, in the community where they live and we are reducing travel to hospital, saving costs and ultimately improving the experience for anyone who needs optometry care in Gloucestershire.”
Dr Graham Mennie, clinical lead for the programme for NHS Gloucestershire and chair of the Gloucestershire Eye Health Clinical Programme Group said:
“Our Ophthalmic Link Project shows just how much difference we can make to our patients when we work together as a system. We are delighted the project has been recognised by the HSJ.
“We now have all 66 optical practices in the county signed up, as well as 250 optometrists and dispensing opticians signed up for the project. The concept is very simple but the hard work and collaboration has been essential to our success. This award is for everyone who has helped make this project happen.”
Scott Vallance, Head of Ophthalmic Vision and Science at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said:
“This project has been a true collaboration between colleagues at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire Local Optical Committee and BlueWorks – Ophthalmic Imaging Management Solutions to make a real difference across eyecare.
“The project has successfully bridged gaps across eyecare, using technology to improve access and outcomes for our patients.”
Ankur Trivedi, Member of Gloucestershire Local Optical Committee added:
“The Community Ophthalmic Link (COL) is revolutionising the way community optical practices operate in our county. With access to vital data, our Community Optometrist and Optician colleagues are more informed and effective than ever.
“We have heard countless stories from our peers about how significantly this system has saved time, made their work not only easier but also enhancing patient care.”