To further support eye-health for people in Stockport, Practice Plus Group Ophthalmology service has opened a new mobile eye clinic to provide faster-access for optical diagnoses and treatments to the local community.
June Ward, 93, from Mossley, Tameside, is the first patient to receive treatment at the new Mobile Eye Clinic and says having a community eye clinic close to home is so much more convenient as she relies on her son for transport to her appointments.
“I have been struggling with poor vision for some time and was referred for treatment at the new Practice Plus Group Mobile Eye Clinic by my GP. I was thrilled that the new clinic was available as it is much closer to home as otherwise I’d have faced a 40-mile round trip, relying on my son to take me there and back.
“The service I have received from the team at the new clinic has been great. It’s good to have an eye clinic more local now.”
Since launching its well-regarded mobile eye treatment clinics in 2014, Practice Plus Group has invested significantly into its Ophthalmology services on behalf of the NHS. The new mobile clinic will serve as a central hub for eye care in the Stockport region, and complement the group’s 11 mobile eye clinics each week for patients in a range of community locations including Bury, Tameside and Doncaster.
In addition, the clinic is the first independent provider in the North West to offer diagnosis and referral for Vitreo-Retinal surgeries via the NHS and boasts significantly shorter waiting times – with patients able to receive a surgery referral in as few as 4 weeks (compared to up to 24 months elsewhere).
The clinic is located in the B&Q car park, George’s Road, Stockport, SK4 1DR, and will primarily support patients for a number of conditions including Cataracts and Glaucoma, as well as offer NHS and private patient referrals for Vitreo-Retinal (VR) and Oculoplastic surgery.
To access the new Stockport clinic, patients will need a GP or Optician referral. The group also delivers cataract, VR and Oculoplastic treatments privately via its Wellsoon private healthcare service available for self-pay and privately insured patients.
Caroline McHugh, Service Director Ophthalmology, Practice Plus Group, says:
“We always aim to offer patients the very best in ophthalmic care and continue to deliver excellent outcomes. Our new mobile eye clinic offers greater accessibility and healthcare choice for people of Stockport and surrounding areas. It brings with it a skilled team of eye-specialists to deliver a one-stop diagnosis and treatment approach with significantly shorter waiting times. Community eye clinics are so important and combine convenience, fast-access and outstanding standards of care.
“We are also proud to be the first independent healthcare provider in the North West to offer referrals for VR eye surgeries on the NHS which treat conditions affecting the retina and vitreous of the eye. As the highly specialised surgery is performed under local anaesthesia, patients can be treated quickly as outpatients at our nearby Rochdale Ophthalmology Centre and receive life-changing surgery in a matter of a few short hours. Post-operatively, patients’ vision continues to improve and become sharper – meaning they can get back to activities like driving and reading more easily again.”
Practice Plus Group’s CQC rated ‘Outstanding’ eye care clinics are estimated to reduce waiting times and provide quick and effective treatment for patients.
https://practiceplusgroup.com/