New SpaMedica eye hospital opens in Colchester

Residents of North East Essex and Suffolk can now access NHS cataract surgery and YAG laser capsulotomy closer to home, thanks to a new, state-of-the-art eye hospital opened by SpaMedica in Colchester.

The newest addition to the SpaMedica family – the country’s leading independent provider of NHS eye services – is located at Colchester Business Park.

It will help cut waiting times for NHS patients requiring treatment to improve their vision by offering appointments in just four to eight weeks, compared to a national target of 18 weeks.

SpaMedica’s hospitals number more than 50 nationwide and have successfully treated thousands of NHS patients. A total of 35 inspections by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have resulted in 13 hospitals being rated as ‘Outstanding’ and 22 rated as ‘Good’, with SpaMedica’s hospitals in Poole and Gloucester described as “an exemplar of best practice which others can, and should, learn from”.

Over 15,000 patients have awarded SpaMedica a 5-star rating on NHS.UK.

In addition to offering access to high quality healthcare in a comfortable, welcoming environment, SpaMedica Colchester also provides a free transport service for those who may struggle to travel.

Hospital manager Natalie Gregory said: “Cataracts can make day-to-day activities like reading, driving and watching television more difficult, and some patients find themselves struggling to get out and about too. That’s why we’re delighted to be working in partnership with the NHS to ensure patients in our region receive rapid access to high quality treatment, so they can get back to life as usual as quickly as possible. We can’t wait to welcome our first patients.”

NHS patients who have been diagnosed with cataracts or posterior capsule opacification can ask for a referral to SpaMedica Colchester through their local optician or GP.

Cataracts Symptoms

You may experience one or more of the following symptoms if you have cataracts:

• Blurred vision
• Difficulty driving at night
• Difficulty watching television and reading
• Being dazzled by sunlight and/or bright lights such as the headlights of an oncoming car
• Fading of colours
• Frequent changes to your spectacle or contact lens prescription

It’s best to see an optician if you think you have cataracts. They will perform a thorough eye check and will be able to refer you for treatment if needed. In England patients can choose which provider they have cataract surgery with.