Aston University partnership aims to tackle waiting lists

Aston University will create a new shared care model with Eye Docs Ltd as part of a 32-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP).

A KTP is a three-way collaboration between a business, an academic partner and a highly qualified researcher.

Through the Aston University KTP, a cross-disciplinary team from the school of optometry and business school will work with Eye Docs to create a shared care model – identifying which patients need to be seen by Eye Docs surgeons and which patients can be seen in primary care optometry practices.

Professor Shehzad Naroo, who is leading the Aston University team, described being involved in the KTP as a “privilege.”

“We’re thrilled to be able to help Eye Docs to offer community-based services to patients and help to reduce the burden on the NHS,” he said.

Consultant ophthalmic surgeon and co-owner of Eye Docs, Professor Sunil Shah highlighted: “This partnership will allow us to adopt the latest research and expertise from a world-leading academic institute to develop new patient pathways and shared-care regimes, enabling us to grow our business and profitability, develop new services and improve patient care.”