The MECS service is available as an alternative option to presenting at Accident & Emergency for the diagnosis and treatment of minor eye conditions. MECS can be accessed on a self-referral basis or alternatively your GP / Practice Nurse/ Pharmacist/ Local Hospital minor injury unit may refer you onto MECS if appropriate.
The idea is to allow Eye Consultants to deal with minor eye conditions, so that patients don’t have to attend their doctors, or in some cases, the hospital.
Patients are able to receive free care – just as they would from their GP at Chase Eyecare, and they are able to access the service for a range of eye conditions:
Recent eye conditions that can be treated by the service include:
• Red eye or eyelids
• Dry eye, gritty and uncomfortable eyes
• Irritation and inflammation of the eye
• Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye or watery eye
• Recently occurring or sudden increase of flashes and floaters
• Painful eye
• In-growing eyelashes
• Recent and sudden reduced vision
• Something in your eye
Please note this is not an eyesight test.
You should go to A&E if you have…
MECS is most certainly an alternative to A&E, where we know some patients currently go. There are some circumstances, however, when only A&E will do:
• Considerable eye pain
• Significant trauma such as penetrating injury or lacerations to the eye or eyelid
• Chemical injury or burns
• Problems arising from recent eye surgery
You should go to A&E after 5pm and at weekends, if you need urgent advice.
Make an appointment over the phone
You will be asked some questions about your symptoms, to assess how quickly you need to be seen by Our Consultant.
Depending on your Symptoms, You might need eye drops in your eyes to enlarge your pupils, to get a better view of your eyes health. You should not drive until the effects of these drops have worn off, which may take a few hours.
What should I take with me? If you can please bring
- A list of your current medication
- If you wear glasses, please take them with you
What to do next
Simply call our Cannock or Hednesford practice to book an emergency appointment. If you are unsure if this is the right place for what you need, please feel free to ask our staff, who will be happy to advise.
