Moorfields Eye Hospital has welcomed the first patients for surgery at its new hub in Stratford. The hub at Stratford Broadway opened its doors earlier this year to provide eye care services to patients across east and north-east London.
With its new operating theatres, the hub brings together a range of diagnostic, consultant-led outpatient, and surgical eye care services under one roof. Stratford is Moorfield's second largest standalone site (after City Road) and will provide around 70,000 appointments per year. By moving to a larger site, it has been able to increase capacity, helping to reduce outpatient and surgery waiting lists. The hub is also reducing the time for diagnostic appointments from a couple of hours or more to just 45 minutes.
One of the first patients in for surgery was Maria Mbonye, who had come in for cataract surgery. Maria used to have to travel to Tottenham for her appointments but says the hub at Stratford is much more convenient for her.
“I am really happy to be one of the first patients in for surgery today. It’s fantastic! Everything has been very smooth and the staff have taken such good care of me. The journey in was very easy, too, and this is a much better location for me as it’s much closer to home.”
Bringing everything together in one central place enables Moorfield's to offer more comprehensive support services, including a low vision clinic, a specialist pharmacy, and access to Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) who offer emotional and practical support for those facing sight loss.
Dr. Martin Kuper, chief executive of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “I am delighted that we can now welcome patients for surgery at this new, state-of-the-art facility in east London. The hub at Stratford offers local people more convenient outpatient and surgical appointments, as well as saving time for those coming in for diagnostic tests.”
The new hub at Stratford was made possible by additional funding from NHS England’s Target Investment Fund.
