§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to non-medical practitioners when referring patients to hospital; and if he will make a statement. [146773]
507W
§ Mr. DenhamThe largest groups are general dental practitioners and ophthalmic opticians and the conditions under which they make referrals are specified in their respective terms of service
… a dentist who does not have the necessary facilities experience or expertise to provide the care and treatment the patient requires shall, if the patient agrees, refer him for the provision of that care and treatment by another dentist under the general dental services or by a hospital.Where a contractor (ophthalmic optician) is of the opinion that a patient whose sight he has tested shows on examination signs of injury and disease in an eye or its immediate vicinity, or any other abnormality of the eye or the rest of the visual system which may require medical treatment he shall, if appropriate, and with the consent of the patient, inform the patient's doctor of his opinion.In emergencies and also under some locally agreed arrangements opticians refer patients direct to hospital ophthalmologists and notify the patient's general practitioner.