Expressions of interest are being sought for a provider of an expanded range of eye treatments in the island.

The Department of Health and Social Care is going to increase the number of people with retinal and macular conditions who can be treated in the island.

Following the procurement process, the DHSC hopes to have the new provider and service operating by the autumn.

Currently, an eye consultant from Aintree in Liverpool provides a ’satellite’ clinic at Noble’s, supported by an optometrist, nursing staff and utilising the specialist equipment at the hospital.

treatments

The ’satellite’ clinic carries out eye treatments for Manx patients on behalf of the DHSC. Some patients go to Aintree, some are treated by an Aintree consultant working remotely at Noble’s.

With the introduction of the expanded service is the island, only the most specialised treatment will require a trip off island.

Minister David Ashford MHK said: ’By any measure the local service for people with age-related macular degeneration [ARMD]has been a success. Until January 2015, all Manx patients with the condition had to travel to Liverpool for treatment.’

While DHSC says the satellite service has been improved in recent months, there are still about 15% of ARMD patients who need to travel to Liverpool for treatment.

With the introduction of this service, Noble’s will be able to treat a greater number of patients with ARMD, which decreases the eyes’ ability to process light clearly, making activities such as driving and recognising faces more difficult.

The move comes after a review of current services concluded the island should be providing an extended service and is part of the DHSC eye care strategy, developed following a public consultation last year.

Mr Ashford added: ’The Noble’s-based partnership with Aintree has been a great benefit for macular patients but hasn’t fully addressed our needs. We have made changes to increase the numbers being seen at the fortnightly clinic. But there are still more people than we would like travelling to Liverpool.

’Many of those with ARMD are elderly and some have other health problems - for these patients, the journey across was a major ordeal. It’s time for a re-think, especially in the light of a growing elderly population.’

The DHSC is now seeking expressions of interest from potential providers, with a tender process to be completed by early July.

The department hopes this will ensure an easy transition before the new service becomes operational in October.