Outcomes of the Elective Recovery Task Force announced

Greater use of Independent Health Sector welcomed to cut waiting lists and support training opportunities for junior doctors

A LEADING independent provider of NHS ophthalmology services, Newmedica, has welcomed the outcomes of the Elective Recovery Task Force announced.

‘We welcome the government’s plan to use the independent sector’s capacity to see patients faster and help them get back to doing the things they love to do.  We share the objective of collaboration with commissioners and promoting patient choice at the point of referral,’ says Newmedica’s managing director Rebecca Lythe.

Ms Lythe adds that ‘Newmedica is looking forward to continuing and strengthening its collaboration with the NHS that has developed over the last 15 years – and seen care delivered to hundreds of thousands of patients, activity to help reduce NHS waiting lists and training provided for NHS colleagues.

‘As of 1^st August 2023, we are proud to operate 18 NHS contracts across 28 sites delivering care for patients from standalone eye hospitals to facilities delivering first-class eyecare close to where people live and work. We look forward to growing further capacity and treating those still waiting for care with chronic eye conditions.’

Helping train the next generation

Trainee ophthalmologists, scrub technicians and optometrists are all receiving training from Newmedica.

Newmedica is supporting the NHS to deliver training to trainee ophthalmologists – with five hosting two or more trainees and eight of its services hosting at least one.

“We’ve worked with several NHS Trusts and universities, providing a great experience for trainees and contributing to the education of ophthalmologists and more than 100 optometrists of the future over the past year” says Ms Lythe.

‘At Newmedica we are already responding to the announcements in this report, unlocking our state-of-the-art capacity and expert capability to care for more patients. We opened our latest new hospital in Nottingham as part of our planned development to respond to local needs,’ She added.