Ophthalmology Co-Ordinator and Glaucoma Failsafe Officer

Job summary

The Glaucoma Failsafe Officer plays a critical role within the Ophthalmology Service, ensuring the safe and effective management of patients with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma. This is a high-volume, high-risk clinical pathway where delays in follow-up can lead to irreversible sight loss. The postholder will be responsible for maintaining robust failsafe processes that ensure all patients are monitored, tracked, and reviewed within clinically appropriate timeframes.

Working closely with consultants, specialty optometrists, operational managers, and administrative teams, the Glaucoma Failsafe Officer will oversee the end-to-end pathway, identifying overdue patients, validating clinical follow-up requirements, and escalating concerns promptly. The role requires strong attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to confidently interpret and apply clinical pathway rules to ensure patient safety.

Main duties of the job

Maintain robust failsafe systems to ensure all glaucoma and glaucoma-suspect patients are monitored within clinically appropriate timeframes. Identify overdue or at-risk patients using clinical systems and tracking tools. Escalate patients requiring urgent clinical review to the appropriate ophthalmology teams. Support the smooth running of the glaucoma pathway by coordinating patient journeys from referral through to follow-up. Validate follow-up intervals and ensure patients are booked into the correct clinic type based on clinical need. Run regular reports to audit follow-up lists, overdue patient cohorts, and backlog performance. Act as the central point of contact for failsafe-related queries from clinical teams, booking staff, management, and external providers. Work closely with consultants, optometrists, and administrative colleagues to maintain efficient clinic utilisation. Ensure the glaucoma tracking system meets national ophthalmology safety standards and best-practice expectations. Provide high-quality administrative support to the glaucoma service and wider ophthalmology department.

About us

There's never been a more exciting time to join TeamQEH. We're working on a once in a generation opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art hospital due to open in 2031/32 and we are also carrying out on one of the biggest pieces of digital transformation work we've ever undertaken.

Our new electronic patient record (EPR) will replace paper-based patient records from 2026 and will lead to better, safer, joined-up care at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and beyond.

At The QEH we provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics and community-based services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, North Cambs and South Lincs.

We are an ambitious organisation that upholds our values of kindness, wellness and fairness. We strive for continuous quality improvement, recently demonstrated in our 2024 CQC maternity inspection rating our services as 'Good', and we are proud to be a place to learn and grow through recognised learning and apprenticeships.

We recognise and reward our 4,000 staff and volunteers, priding ourselves on a community atmosphere and positive team spirit. We have approx. 530 beds across 33 wards and have newly built education and training facilities, a range of modern award-winning centres alongside a talented team of people ready to give you a warm welcome. We love working here and think you will too.

Employer details

Employer name

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHSFT

Address

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust

Gayton Road

King's Lynn

PE30 4ET

Employer's website

https://www.qehkl.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

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Employer details

Employer name

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHSFT

Address

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust

Gayton Road

King's Lynn

PE30 4ET

Employer's website

https://www.qehkl.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

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