Innovative Approaches to Enhancing Eyecare Capacity in the NHS
As seasoned construction professionals and interior designers, we understand the importance of optimizing the built environment to support the efficient delivery of healthcare services. Project HERCULES, a groundbreaking initiative led by Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has set out to revolutionize the way patients with stable chronic eye diseases are monitored and cared for within the National Health Service (NHS) in England.
This multidisciplinary project, which involves researchers from the UCL Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, has explored the implementation of an innovative model of high-volume outpatient eyecare service. By establishing a technician-delivered monitoring system within a large retail unit in a London shopping center, the project aims to enhance the capacity and efficiency of eyecare provision while maintaining the highest standards of patient care.
Cohort Profile: Recruiting Participants for Evaluation
The core of Project HERCULES is the establishment of two distinct cohorts: the ‘intervention cohort’ and the ‘comparator cohort’. The intervention cohort comprises patients aged 18 years or above who are being monitored in secondary care at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust for stable glaucoma or retinal conditions. These patients were given the opportunity to receive their care at the newly established Eye-TRAC (Eye-Testing and Review through Asynchronous Clinics) facility located at Brent Cross, London.
The comparator cohort, on the other hand, consists of patients who continue to be monitored in the traditional secondary care setting during the same timeframe. Aside from the location of their care, there were no other demographic or disease severity differences between the two cohorts.
Additionally, the research team has gathered anonymized data across the entire Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust to analyze the impact of the Eye-TRAC facility on trust-wide waiting times. This holistic approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the system-level implications of the new care model.
Iterative Design Development: Optimizing the Patient Experience
The success of Project HERCULES hinges on the careful design and optimization of the Eye-TRAC facility. The UCL Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction has played a pivotal role in this process, applying their expertise in ergonomics, user experience, and operational efficiency.
Through a series of four spatial “iterations,” the research team has investigated different configurations of equipment and patient flow within the Eye-TRAC facility. The goal was to identify the optimal design that promotes independent and parallel patient journeys, minimizes queuing, and ensures direct line of sight between diagnostic stations. This approach has allowed the team to test and refine the design in a rapid and iterative manner, gathering valuable data to inform the final operational model.
Table 1: Spatial Iterations of the Eye-TRAC Facility
| Iteration | Key Design Features |
|---|---|
| 1 | Focused on promoting independent parallel patient journeys with limited queuing |
| 2 | Incorporated direct line of sight between diagnostic stations to support efficient patient flow |
| 3 | Maintained the efficient patient flow while introducing cataract clinics to expand the scope of services |
| 4 | Refined the design to further streamline operations and enable the evaluation of additional indications |
The introduction of cataract clinics in the latter iterations, although adding more complexity to the system, enabled the research team to evaluate the Eye-TRAC facility’s potential to accommodate a wider range of ophthalmological services. This flexibility aligns with the project’s overarching objective of enhancing the capacity and efficiency of the NHS’s eyecare provision.
Engaging Stakeholders: Gathering Insights and Preferences
Integral to the success of Project HERCULES is the active involvement of various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, members of the public, and patients. The research team has conducted a nationwide survey to capture the preferences and perspectives of these key stakeholders.
This stakeholder engagement process has provided valuable insights that have been instrumental in shaping the design, development, and implementation of the Eye-TRAC facility. By incorporating the feedback and needs of those who will ultimately utilize the services, the project ensures that the new care model is tailored to the preferences and expectations of all those involved.
Uncovering Insights and Driving Continuous Improvement
The comprehensive data collected throughout Project HERCULES has enabled the research team to uncover a wealth of insights and identify opportunities for further enhancements. Qualitative analysis of patient and staff feedback, coupled with rapid ethnographic work, are currently underway to streamline the services and optimize the patient experience.
Furthermore, the team is working to develop a framework that can inform future NHS guidance for ophthalmology and other outpatient diagnostic services. By analyzing the data and identifying limitations in information technology, they aim to address bottlenecks in the review process and further improve the operational efficiency of the Eye-TRAC facility.
Embracing Multidisciplinary Collaboration for Meaningful Change
One of the key strengths of Project HERCULES is its multidisciplinary nature. By bringing together researchers, clinicians, technicians, administrative staff, and managers, the project has fostered new collaborations and understandings that cut across academic disciplines. These cross-pollinations of knowledge and expertise are expected to provide valuable lessons for the healthcare sector, not only in the present but also in the future.
The dynamic testing of new environments, the iterative development of prototypes, and the continuous input from diverse stakeholders have been instrumental in the success of this project. This collaborative approach has not only led to improved operational efficiency but has also secured greater buy-in from the staff, ultimately ensuring the long-term sustainability and impact of the Eye-TRAC facility.
Conclusion: Elevating Eyecare Delivery through Innovation
Project HERCULES represents a pioneering effort to revolutionize the delivery of eyecare services within the NHS. By harnessing the expertise of construction professionals, interior designers, and multidisciplinary researchers, the project has successfully implemented an innovative model of high-volume outpatient eyecare that prioritizes capacity, efficiency, and patient-centered care.
Through the establishment of the Eye-TRAC facility, the project has demonstrated the potential to enhance the NHS’s ability to monitor and care for patients with stable chronic eye diseases. As the research continues, the insights and lessons learned from Project HERCULES will undoubtedly shape the future of outpatient diagnostic services, setting new standards for healthcare delivery and inspiring further advancements in this critical domain.
To stay informed about the latest developments and insights from Project HERCULES, we encourage you to regularly visit the Local Builder London blog, where we will continue to share updates and practical guidance on innovative approaches to healthcare facility design and construction.
