Dozens of patients have had life-changing surgery at a new £1million eye health clinic in Gloucester Brighouse Court, located in Barnwood, is Newmedica’s second in the county, where staff work in partnership with the NHS to help cut waiting times for patients needing treatment for life-limiting eye conditions such as cataracts.
Among the first patients at the specialist surgical centre were Jean Varney and Jenifer Worton-Griffiths, who each received a commemorative bouquet of flowers when they entered the clinic.
Both said the operations to remove their cataracts had changed their lives.
Mrs Jean Varney, 85, said she would urge others to have the operation because of the improvement it’s made to her quality of life.
She added: ‘Many are frightened about their eyes being touched, but during the operation I felt nothing. There was no pain after, either. I felt really good. I’m so pleased I had it done.
‘With cataracts, you don’t know you can’t see very well. It creeps up on you. But now I can see properly. It’s amazing. I think the majority of people want to have the operation but are frightened by it. I think anybody needing the operation should have it done, because the longer you leave it the worse it gets.’
Mrs Worton-Griffiths, 75, said: ‘My cataracts had got to the stage where I couldn’t play the piano, couldn’t read and couldn’t even prepare my meals. Life was miserable. But now that I’ve had the cataracts removed, the effects will last my lifetime and ensure that the rest of my life is as enjoyable as possible.’
The Brighouse Court surgical centre is in addition to Newmedica’s already established clinic and surgical centre at Aspen Medical Centre, Horton Road.
Both locations can provide treatments such as cataract surgery and management, oculoplastic surgery, glaucoma care, vitreo-retinal surgery, general ophthalmology and YAG, a special laser treatment designed to improve vision after cataract surgery.
As well as world-class specialist surgical centre, the Brighouse Court site runs a purpose-made training and employment initiative, with links to Gloucestershire University, to train tomorrow’s nurses and eye surgeons.
Nigel Kirkpatrick, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Director at Newmedica Gloucester, said: ‘We were delighted to welcome Mrs Varney and Mrs Worton-Griffiths to our new clinic and are pleased that their operations have made such a difference to their lives.
‘Our aim is to make sure that all our patients are confident about their treatment and able to enjoy improved sight for many years to come.’
Patients are typically referred to Newmedica Gloucester by a GP or optometrist. They are then usually seen within two weeks for their first appointment, before having their surgical treatment within the following four weeks.
Newmedica launched nationally in 2009 with the aim of creating a network of specialist eye clinics that link with all optometrists and GPs – revolutionising care and treatment for patients who face the prospect of sight loss.
The company works closely with the NHS, providing services for NHS CCGs, NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts, and other providers of NHS-funded services.
For more information, call 01452 223334 or visit newmedica.co.uk.