Local patient and MP give new Eye Service the thumbs up

Doncaster Royal Infirmary has officially opened its newly transformed eye service following an extensive seven month building project. Renamed the Fred and Ann Green Eye…

Doncaster Royal Infirmary has officially opened its newly transformed eye service following an extensive seven month building project.

Renamed the Fred and Ann Green Eye Centre, the space has a new waiting area, 15 examination rooms, seven vision lanes and three treatment rooms to care for patients with a range of eye disorders from common problems like conjunctivitis to more severe conditions which can affect vision such as cataract and glaucoma.

The eye centre also has a new children’s clinic with consulting rooms styled and decorated to suit younger patients and improved facilities for minor operations and eye injections.

Dame Rosie Winterton MP was on hand to cut the ribbon and officially name the Fred and Ann Green Eye Centre, she said: “I am delighted to have been invited to open the new Eye Centre which is very impressive and provides excellent modern facilities here in Doncaster for people suffering from an eye disorder, and will make a real difference to patients.”

Regular eye clinic patient Margaret Wilson, 82, of Balby was one of the first patients to be treated in the new facility. Margaret started to attend the clinic over three years ago and has recently attended the unit after having a cataract removed from her right eye.

She said: “The new clinic is so much better. The big open space feels like such a luxury compared to the narrow corridor which used to be the waiting area. The old clinic felt very claustrophobic and I had a much better experience this time around. One thing that hasn’t changed is the great care I received.”

Throughout the building scheme the clinic has continued to provide quality care for patients. The team of staff at the Eye Centre have been awarded Team of the Month by the Trust for keeping clinics running smoothly during this time and making sure that patients receive the best quality care despite the disruption.

Mike Pinkerton, Chief Executive at the Trust, said: “This is a major step forward for the service we offer to some of our most vulnerable patients and in how we support our staff to deliver great care. The new Eye Centre is so much more than a very nice new building – it is a completely redesigned, modern service that combines the best of clinical practice delivered in appropriate facilities with fantastic staff – a super combination.

“I am very grateful to the Fred and Ann Green Legacy and our staff for making this dream a reality, which will make such a positive difference to the lives of thousands of patients in years to come.”