Cataract clinic opens in Gateshead

The doors of a brand new Optegra NHS cataract clinic are now open following the official ‘cutting of the ribbon’.

In an event attended by optometrists from all the CCGs in the region as well as representatives from the Northumberland and Tyne & Wear Local Optical Committee (LOC), the new Optegra Eye Clinic Newcastle is now providing diagnostic testing and treatment of cataracts.

One in three adults affected by cataract, the natural, age-related clouding of the lens of the eye, combined with delayed treatments from the pandemic means that waiting lists are at an all-time high.

Throughout the North East region, local CCG stats show that average wait for cataract treatment in the areas is 71.8 weeks. To help tackle this, the Optegra clinic will only treat NHS cataract patients.

The Worshipful Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Dot Burnett said: “We are delighted to welcome Optegra into the North East region with their intention of supporting the thousands of patients who are awaiting essential cataract treatment.

“As an ongoing impact from the pandemic, these waiting lists are inevitably longer than ever, and I am so pleased that local people can now access their treatment more quickly, with the support of this dedicated eye clinic, which is solely offering NHS treatment.

“This clinic will also be a great support to local optometrists and GPs to help direct their patients to quicker treatment which will make a huge difference to their quality of life.”

The new, clinic found at Units one-three Maingate, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, houses treatment rooms, surgical theatre, and recovery rooms.

Richard Armitage, NHS Director for Optegra, said: “We are proud of the new clinic which offers the same five-star quality of all the Optegra hospitals and clinics throughout the UK. As specialists purely in eye care, we are able to invest in the very latest technologies, excellent clinical teams and surgeons.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for cataract patients in the North East to be able to request referral here, and as a result, not only reduce their waiting times for treatment but also enjoy the very finest of facilities and excellent medical outcomes.

“In fact, even if they are already on waiting lists for other healthcare providers, patients can go back to their GP or optometrists and request to be referred to us, to speed up the process.”

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