A registrar-led minor operations (MOPs) clinic designed to triage patients with suspected malignant ocular lesions diverted 90% of them away from ophthalmology theatres and reduced complication rates, reported study authors in a poster presented at the RANZCO NZ Branch meeting.

Drs Zung Mai, Sandy Yu and Liz Insull’s audit of the MOPs clinic at Hawke’s Bay Ophthalmology Department included 225 patients referred from their GP, dermatologist or within the department in 2022-23. Compared to a similar audit in 2018-19, although MOPs clinic patients waited longer for their first review in the current study, they subsequently progressed faster to a procedure and waited less time for follow-up.

Since 75.6% of these encounters resulted in discharge from the clinic without further review, and virtual follow-up was found to be suitable for 65% of the remainder, the authors concluded such MOPs clinics are an essential service to conserve Te Whatu Ora and hospital resources, as well as surgeons’ time.