Cataract surgery team in place at Downe Hospital

Cataract surgery team in place at Downe Hospital

24 April 2019

THE Downe Hospital’s new specialist centre of excellence for cataract surgery is up and running.

As part of Department of Health plans to deliver a range of dedicated day surgery services across the Province, the Downpatrick hospital is playing a key role at the forefront of a new model of care.

Last year’s reorganisation of routine cataract and varicose vein services was described as an “important landmark” with the new prototype cataract service in Downpatrick now fully operational, with similar services launched at the Mid Ulster and South Tyrone hospitals.

The new cataract service in Downpatrick is designed to significantly reduce surgery waiting lists, with the consultant-led, elective care centre providing routine day surgery procedures at an enhanced outpatient department.

The new centre — which is providing a regional service –  will be evaluated on performance, quality, service user and staff experience, productivity and overall value for money, with final decisions on permanent elective care centre locations across the Province subject to public consultations and ministerial approval.

Health chiefs insist that the creation of the new elective care centres represents a “significant step” forward in the transformation of health care and clearly demonstrates the benefits to patients. 

In addition, they say the new regional centres will secure important progress in the efficiency and effectiveness of care.

A number of the new regional services are being delivered on separate sites from urgent and emergency hospital care, ensuring that they will not be competing for operating rooms and other resources, leading to fewer cancellations of operations.

Department of Health Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly, has described the development of elective care centres as a “key step” in the transformation of hospital services in Northern Ireland.

He said current waiting times for hospital surgery are totally unacceptable, with elective care centres central to the department’s plans to “eradicate this scourge on our service”.

The South Eastern Trust, which is responsible for the Downe, believes the Downpatrick hospital is well placed to continue playing a significant role in the further development of elective care for the local and wider population.

The Down Community Health Committee has also welcomed the delivery of the new regional cataract service at the Downpatrick hospital.

But it is concerned that the move has resulted in the loss of ear, nose and throat day surgery from the Downe. The service has been relocated to the Lagan Valley hospital in Lisburn.

Campaigners have warned that progress at the Downe must not come at any price, highlighting the need for additional investment in service provision. In particular, they want to see the restoration of 24-hour emergency services.

The health committee says the Downe is a “wonderful hospital” which has so much to offer, with its footprint capable of accommodating expansion to meet present and future need.