Nick Forbes CBE, Leader of Newcastle City Council, visits Optegra Eye Clinic

NICK FORBES CBE visits OPTEGRA EYE CLINIC Newcastle to see the benefits of cataract surgery in action

Nick Forbes CBE, former Member of Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet and Leader of Newcastle City Council, has visited Optegra Eye Clinic Newcastle to learn more about the difference the organisation makes to its patients, colleagues and the wider community.

Since stepping down in 2022, Forbes now works with businesses as part of the Purpose Coalition on projects to break down barriers to opportunity.

Optegra is the UK’s largest network of dedicated eye hospitals and has successfully treated over one million patients with its state-of-the-art treatments, leading to Optegra being recognised as a top-rated vision correction provider.

During the visit with Optegra Managing Director Mat Pickering, Forbes toured the clinic and met patients, colleagues including Chris Chisholm (Director of Clinical Services) and Louise Archer (Regional Head of Clinical Services), alongside observing an NHS cataract surgery procedure – a procedure which takes just seven minutes at the clinic and restores clear vision.

Clinics such as Optegra have helped to reduce the high waiting lists post-Covid and make cataract surgery much more accessible – with NHS referrals provided free at the point of delivery. Alongside cataract surgery, Optegra also offers leading laser eye surgery, lens replacement and other personalised eye care.

Nick Forbes CBE said: “It’s great to be working with Mat and the great team at Optegra on how we can break down the barriers to healthcare in Britain. Cataract surgery has a huge benefit, not only improving people’s vision and quality of life, but also in prevention of other healthcare challenges such as falls and driving accidents – particularly at an older age.

“The work of Optegra at the Newcastle Eye Clinic is second to none, and it is vital our local NHS works in partnership with Optegra to ensure as many people as possible get the surgery they need, when they need it.”

Optegra’s Managing Director, Mat Pickering, said: “It was great to welcome Nick to our Newcastle Eye Clinic to showcase the work we are doing to reduce the cataract waiting list through state-of-the-art and timely surgery, working in partnership with our local NHS. Our committed staff have worked exceptionally hard over the past two years to make this such a successful clinic, treating over 5,000 patients.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Nick as we launch our Social Impact Report later this year, setting out how Optegra – as a top-rated vision correction provider – is setting the new standard in delivering life-changing eye care, and being a force for good in the local communities we serve.”

The visit comes ahead of the publication of Optegra’s Breaking Down Barriers to Healthcare report to be published later this year. The report maps the work of Optegra to the innovative 15 ‘Purpose Goals’ – a leading framework adopted by hundreds of organisations to measure, track and focus their efforts on everything from good health and wellbeing, to harnessing the energy transition, and working in partnership. The report will be launched in Parliament after the upcoming general election.