Edgware Community Hospital is set to become a hub for planned eye surgeries, aiming to conduct an additional 3,000 procedures annually across the sector. The initiative, led by the Royal Free London (RFL), is expected to alleviate waiting times for patients in need of sight-saving operations.
The dedicated hub, managed by RFL, primarily focuses on treating adults with common, low-complexity eye conditions, such as cataracts. It consolidates various eye procedures previously carried out at Chase Farm Hospital (CFH), the Royal Free Hospital (RFH), and Whittington Health NHS Trust.
While the hub caters to common conditions, more complex eye surgeries requiring additional medical support or involvement of specialist clinicians, including plastics and paediatrics, will continue at both CFH and RFH.
Rohit Jolly, clinical service lead for ophthalmology at RFL, emphasized the transformative impact of the hub on patient experience in north-central London. He stated, “We have a real opportunity to provide patients with access to more timely care, from a highly skilled group of professionals that will provide world-class expertise in a welcoming environment.”
The establishment of this dedicated hub aims to minimize the likelihood of surgery cancellations due to emergencies or winter pressures, offering a more stable and efficient setting for eye surgeries.
Patients undergoing procedures at the hub will still engage with their local optician or preferred hospital for pre- and post-surgery tests and outpatient appointments. The option to be referred to any hospital providing the required care remains open to patients.
The additional surgical capacity generated at Whittington Health, CFH, and RFH will be utilized to address waiting lists in various other specialties.
The decision to create this hub followed an eight-week engagement period, led by the North Central London (NCL) Integrated Care Board, involving input from patients, the public, and other stakeholders.
