New Swansea eye hospital officially opened by Lord Mayor

A new hospital specialising in NHS eye patient services has been officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Swansea, Councillor Mike Day.

SpaMedica, based at Swansea Enterprise Park, Bon-y-Maen, will provide cataract surgery and YAG laser capsulotomy to local NHS patients, helping to cut waiting times for those requiring treatment to improve their vision. The new hospital – which is registered with and regulated by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales – offers industry-leading facilities and a comfortable, welcoming environment for patients and their families. The site also provides a free minibus service for those who require transport to and from the hospital.

Swansea is the first SpaMedica site to be established in Wales and becomes one of 47 SpaMedica sites across the UK.

SpaMedica’s hospitals have some of the lowest complication rates nationally, with procedures carried out by highly experienced consultant surgeons. The Swansea site features a dedicated training suite and one of SpaMedica’s largest surgical theatres to help facilitate practical training of both SpaMedica and NHS trainees.

Lord Mayor of Swansea, Councillor Mike Day, met with SpaMedica team members and received a tour of the new hospital. He said: “I’m very pleased to officially open this impressive new site, which will provide a fantastic service to patients in Swansea and across South Wales. It’s encouraging to hear of the work SpaMedica is doing, in conjunction with our local NHS services, to help drive down patient waiting times, and we’re delighted to have access to such state-of-the-art facilities here in Swansea.”

Hospital manager at SpaMedica Swansea, Sarah Jacobs, said: “It’s been brilliant to welcome the Lord Mayor on the hospital’s launch day. We’re excited to be opening our doors to patients. We’re working in partnership with the NHS to reduce local waiting lists and ensure patients who need cataract surgery and YAG laser capsulotomy get easy, quick access to high-quality treatment.

“Everyone at SpaMedica has a passion for providing the highest standards of care for our patients. We know what these treatments can mean for people – it’s not just about improving sight, it’s giving them back their independence and quality of life. We can’t wait to help local residents get out and about and enjoy their usual hobbies and activities once more.”

Ankit Kotecha, hospital director, SpaMedica said: “It’s been a great launch event. We’re very proud to showcase the facilities here in Swansea, including our training spaces, which have the potential to develop the expertise of future ophthalmologists and help provide an excellent service for the long term.”

Research carried out by SpaMedica in 2022 of more than 3,000 people underlined the drastic improvements in patient life quality following cataract surgery. Data showed a tenfold increase in quality of life for post-surgery patients: just five per cent of people considered their life quality to be ‘very good’ before they underwent a cataract procedure, rising to an incredible 48% afterwards, and a further 40% describing their life quality as ‘good’.

Patient referrals to SpaMedica Swansea are facilitated through Local Health Boards.