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- 11.06.2008 - Hartlepool Mail
- 09.06.2008 - Newcastle Evening Chronicle
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03.06.2008 - Newcastle University
Newcastle Rheumatologist Receives Award for Services to Patients
Patient quote
"I have been attending the Eye Department for many years. I continue to be impressed by the care I receive. My second cataract was removed a week ago. It is because of the hard work of the doctors and nurses that so many patients receive their treatment." Mrs MC
Jargon buster
cataract
An eye condition when the lens of the eye (the part that we see through) becomes clouded and makes it difficult to see. Find out more about this condition at RNIB.
View the full jargon busterOphthalmology (Eye Department)
Cataract Service
Contact: (0191) 282 9192 - Ms Liz Cunliffe, Directorate Manager
The regional cataract service for the North East of England is located at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) and was nationally recognised by the Department of Innovation and Improvement in 2007 for its effectiveness and innovation. It is also one of the busiest in the UK, with our specialist team of 16 Consultant Ophthalmologists carrying out 7,000 cataract operations each year.
Specialist care where and when you need it
Our aim is to make our cataract service as accessible and as convenient for you as possible, as well as ensuring you receive the very best clinical care possible. When you are referred to us you will attend a ‘One-Stop’ clinic at the RVI, where you will be seen by your ophthalmologist and a specially trained nurse to be fully assessed for your cataract operation. For patients who live outside the Newcastle area, we hold similar clinics and post-operative appointments at local hospitals across the region. Once you decide to go ahead with cataract surgery, you will be given a choice of surgery dates and will leave the clinic with a date that is convenient for you.
We encourage our patients to be active participants in their treatment and want you to be as well-informed as possible. Written information is provided and there are ample opportunities to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with our staff.
Convenient, efficient and relaxed service
Most patients choose to have their cataract surgery under local anaesthetic and will spend up to half a day in the hospital. If you choose to have your surgery under general anaesthetic you will usually spend the remainder of the day in hospital and go home that evening. To make things as convenient for you as possible, we usually give patients who live outside of the Newcastle area a later appointment time for surgery to allow time to travel to the RVI.
We strive to provide a dedicated, specialist environment to make your experience of cataract surgery as convenient, efficient and relaxed as possible. While relatives are welcome to attend on the day of surgery, during busy periods they may be asked to stay in the waiting area to give patients privacy on the day case ward.
Contact us
For any further information on any of our services, in particular our outreach services at local hospitals across the region, please do not hesitate to contact:
Liz Cunliffe
Directorate Manager
Telephone: (0191) 282 9192
Or ask your local hospital ophthalmologist for more information.
