A shared ambition for eyecare in Wales

At Newmedica, we have a shared ambition for eyecare right across Wales. Find out more below.

Hear from our founder and proud Welshman Doug Perkins

What patients and commissioners say about Newmedica

A message from Doug Perkins

It's no secret that I am a proud Welshman, originally from Llanelli. I not only graduated as an optometrist from Cardiff University but it's where I met my wife, Mary. Together we founded Specsavers over 40 years ago.

Our core purpose is to change lives through better sight and hearing making expert, high-quality eye and hearing care accessible and affordable for everyone.

So it seemed common sense to us 10 years ago to bring Newmedica into the Specsavers Group to extend our offer into ophthalmology. This allows us to provide best-value optometry, audiology and ophthalmology services through a locally owned and led partnership model, all while exceeding our customers' expectations.

Together, Specsavers and Newmedica are passionate about reaching all corners of the communities we serve, reducing health inequalities and investing in the teams who choose to work with us.

By working together, with the NHS calling on the support of its partners like Newmedica to offer enhanced services with optometrists trained to a high level, we can innovate to protect the long-term future of the NHS.

Newmedica has already cared for over 10,000 patients who live in Wales, and I am excited about what the future brings - opportunities to think and behave differently by investing in delivering local care by local consultants to improve the vision of the people of Wales.

Welsh population changes

Access to timely care should never depend on postcode

Our approach is simple and proven

Deliver NHS care to the highest standards with pathway redesign driven by clinical risk and patient need
Focus relentlessly on quality, safety and outcomes. Integrate fully with hospital and community services
Use community-based locations closer to patients' homes, incorporating existing infrastructure where available and primary care providers including domiciliary care
Our hub and spoke model aligns to local geography, we mobilise quickly where patient need is greatest
We deliver consistent and high-quality training and upskilling opportunities for every level - we are already a proud partner of Cardiff University.

‘It's a shame that the waiting list in Wales is so much longer than in England (by well over a year), as this operation is certainly life enhancing. I would certainly recommend this unit for anyone who was requiring cataract surgery (NHS or private). I am only a few days post-op and it has made a huge difference to my sight already.’

Specsavers in Wales

Specsavers stores in Wales providing optometry and audiology services: 55

The three Specsavers Welsh Domiciliary businesses completed 20,093 tests (including enhanced optical services). Which was an increase of 3,278 Year on Year

Investing in Wales for the benefit of Wales

What this means for your Health Board and community

Investment in new infrastructure and facilities, including state-of-the-art equipment in Wales for the people of Wales, whilst protecting your current CapEx budget
This investment will contribute to the Welsh economy by generating employment opportunities from inception, providing tangible benefits to local communities, and fostering broader socio-economic advantages
Delivering high-quality, cost-effective care, with ophthalmic pathways built around patient needs
Creating a legacy of highly-skilled healthcare workers through structured undergraduate and post-graduate training and supported careers for all colleagues
Using partnership models already seen in Welsh healthcare as the basis.

View our socials value report

At Newmedica, we stand ready to support delivery of the Welsh Government’s manifesto commitments by investing in additional capacity for NHS eye care. Our model would enable us to expand access to services across communities including Barry, Bridgend, Cardiff, Cwmbran, Llanelli, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport, Newtown (Powys), Pontypridd, Swansea and Wrexham—helping to reduce waiting times and improve patient outcomes.

Doctors in training

130 pre-registration optometrists were supported in developing new skills
87 consultant ophthalmologist partners
17 colleagues completed our internal scrub technician programme
26 resident doctor training placements were taken up
8 in 35/36, 100 enrolled for 26/27 IP placements supported
84 consultant-led continuing professional development (CPD) events attended by 1,171 clinicians

We continue to support the NHS to deliver training to trainee ophthalmologists. Between February 2025 and January 2026, we hosted or continued placements for 20 doctors in training across 15 services. A further eight doctors have commenced placements during the February 2026 rotation. In total, we’ve hosted 100 placements since 2021.

On a survey conducted for trainees in 2025, 100% of survey respondents stated that they would recommend Newmedica to their colleagues.

Feedback from resident doctors:

‘A fantastic unit to work at, with an amazing team of doctors, nurses, theatre practitioners, optoms and admin staff. Thank you for a great experience.’
Newmedica Newcastle

‘Mr Robins was an excellent trainer.’
Newmedica Northampton

‘Good rotation with very supportive supervisor and team.’
Newmedica Birmingham

Qasim Mansoor, Clinical Director and Clinical Supervisor (Newmedica Teesside) outlines our approach to training and sharing best practice.

‘Training the next generation of eye surgeons is a key priority for Newmedica, and we are now playing a leading role in shaping how cataract training is delivered nationally.

Our work has gone beyond local training programmes to influence national practice, with peer-reviewed research, published training models and outcome data demonstrating that trainees working within Newmedica achieve surgical results comparable to national standards.

This growing body of evidence has contributed to wider policy discussions and helped establish Newmedica as one of the UK’s leading independent sector providers of cataract training, as recognised by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

Our trainees are also actively contributing to the profession, publishing in national journals and presenting at major conferences, reflecting a strong culture of learning, reflection and clinical excellence.

Ultimately, the impact of this work extends far beyond our organisation. Every surgeon trained within Newmedica goes on to deliver high-quality care to patients throughout their career, contributing to improved outcomes and increased capacity across the wider healthcare system.’
Qasim Mansoor

External partnerships

Nine of our services work in partnership with universities and colleges supporting the development of the future healthcare workforce by hosting student placements for under and postgraduates in nursing, optometry, medicine and T Levels.

We’re delighted to work with several establishments including the University of Plymouth, University of Worcester, Aston University, University of Gloucestershire, Anglia Ruskin University, University of Bristol, Teesside University, University of Winchester, Counties Medical School, Worcester Sixth Form College and Gateshead College.

‘I really enjoyed my time on placement with you all, the whole team was so welcoming and supportive, and I felt like I learned a lot in a short space of time. It was a great environment to grow in, and I’m very grateful for the experience. I truly appreciated the support throughout my placement.’
A student nurse on placement at Newmedica Hampshire

A student nurse on placement at Newmedica Hampshire

Our partnership with Gateshead College in Newcastle has become a strong example of how we are supporting the development of the future healthcare workforce.

‘Through structured clinical placements, T Level students gain hands-on experience within our services, supported by dedicated training and mentorship. This approach helps build practical skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of patient care in a real clinical environment.

The partnership has continued to evolve, expanding to include Media and Film students, who have explored and showcased the impact of this collaboration through a documentary project.

This work strengthens links between education and healthcare while supporting the development of a skilled, work-ready workforce. By providing early exposure to clinical practice, we are helping to shape the next generation of healthcare professionals and support the long-term sustainability of the system’.
Duncan Gear, Head of Clinical Services said:

Working with community optometrists

Collaboration with community optometrists remains central to this approach. Through our accredited post-operative scheme, patients can choose to have routine follow-up care delivered by their local optometrist, improving convenience, continuity and access to care closer to home.

This model supports a more integrated pathway, enabling specialist services to focus on higher complexity care while enhancing capacity across the wider system.

Supporting education and training for optometrists

Between March 2025 and February 2026, we delivered 153 continuing professional development (CPD) events for primary care optometry clinicians across the country, involving 3,605 attendees.

These highly interactive events covered a broad range of topics including patient communication, referral and management decisions using clinical cases to support learning that can be directly applied to practice.

Overall feedback on the quality of the events, presenters and usefulness to practice averaged 95% across all events.

Some examples of our sessions and delegate feedback:

Seeing eye to eye – overcoming challenges in patient care

Very useful. These are subjects which we’re discussing with patients on an almost daily basis.

Really helpful and useful for practice and updates in SLT and MIGS.
Welwyn Garden City, May 2025

Intraocular lens choice – weighing up the options

Definitely relatable and useful content was delivered on managing patients’ expectations and being able to understand the cataract journey. This information can be used in practice in creating the best experience for patients.
Bradford, August 2025

Our services play a vital role in developing the future optometry workforce. During 2025/26, we supported around 160 pre-registration optometrists through structured clinical placements, providing hands-on experience across outpatient, diagnostic and theatre settings.

These placements expose trainees to a wide range of conditions, including cataract, glaucoma and AMD, and provide insight into the full patient pathway from assessment through to treatment and discharge.

This experience builds confidence, strengthens clinical understanding and equips optometrists to better support patients in primary care. It also supports a more integrated pathway by improving referral quality and enhancing collaboration between primary and secondary care.

Independent prescribers programme

In 2025/26 Newmedica supported 8 optometrists with their Independent Prescribing (IP) placement. Newmedica is now supporting 100 optometrists through their (IP) placements, delivered across 16 services.

IP trainees are progressing through their programmes at different stages, which means placement completions are staggered throughout the year. This ensures a smooth learning experience and helps us continue offering high‑quality clinical development opportunities.

Newmedica Birmingham recently supported Harpreet Bhara, Optometrist Director at Specsavers Canley and Cheylesmore with her IP placement. Harpreet shared some feedback about her experience.

‘I became aware of the opportunity to undertake an Independent Prescribing (IP) placement with Newmedica through a fellow optometrist who had previously completed their placement with them. With the course structure recently updated following a General Optical Council (GOC) review, placements now require active clinical management and prescribing under supervision across several weeks. Newmedica was incredibly flexible in helping me achieve this balance, ensuring I could gain meaningful hands-on experience. Communication throughout has been brilliant, and I’ve felt fully supported from start to finish.

Newmedica Birmingham really felt like a home away from home. The entire team was so welcoming and genuinely wanted me to get the most out of my experience. The consultants I worked alongside went above and beyond to ensure each clinic session was a valuable learning opportunity, even exploring topics outside of IP that would strengthen my broader clinical practice’.
Harpreet Bhara

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board experiences of working with Newmedica – July 2025 onwards

In response to Welsh Government request to increase the number of cataract procedures delivered during 2025/26, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board contracted with Newmedica.

Our experiences of working with Newmedica have been extremely positive, early on in the process we agreed the number of patients that would need to be transferred each month from the health board and monitored this weekly. We also agreed monthly delivery commitments required by Newmedica which were also monitored weekly. Any deviation from the agreed schedule with the health board or the provider was discussed and corrective immediate action put in place. The provider provides a detailed analysis at each meeting which has been pivotal to keeping delivery on track. Information on bookings and patient pathways is updated daily through a live tracker and there is daily correspondence between both organisations.

The logistics behind this contract have been challenging as the provider has had to co-ordinate patients from the same areas to facilitate effective travel and minimise journey times. Patient feedback on this has been fantastic with the same patients attending the pre-op as well as the procedure. There is evidence that many patients have become friends.

Patient feedback has been excellent on all aspects of the contract and the provider has responded immediately to the few concerns raised.

Where they have been cancellations for reasons such as snow and sickness, Newmedica have responded quickly to these and rebooked these patients very quickly.
Olivia Shorrocks Adferiad Gofal wedi'i Gynllunio

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Patient feedback

Overall Experience & Satisfaction

‘What a wonderful Very professional experience once again I had with you all for my NHS cataract operation. I can’t thank you all enough in Newmedica Aztec Bristol. I can highly recommend you all.’

NHS Referral Experience (Wales)

‘I am an NHS patient referred to Newmedica Aztec West from South Wales. I have had my first cataract surgery and I am so very pleased how surgery went. Staff are amazing, all positive feedback. Thank you.’

‘I was an NHS patient referred from South Wales. I am so lucky as the service I received was faultless from start to end. The clinics are so well organised and efficient. The staff are very friendly to all patients. I had my right eye cataract been done on 27 October and had a remarkable result. Thanks to all the staff for their professional experience

Surgery Experience & Clinical Outcomes

‘I had surgery last Saturday as a referred NHS Wales patient at Newmedica Aztec West Bristol and from the initial consultation a few weeks back through to surgery on the day the whole experience has been extremely positive.

‘Omar Elhaddad, the surgeon on the day, was fantastic, as were the whole team both pre and post-op. They were all informative and very reassuring which was welcome as I was out of my comfort zone to say the least. The operation was quick and pain free. My sight is improved hugely and I hope to return for the other eye hopefully in the not too distant future. Many thanks to you all.’

Facilities, Environment & Patient Comfort

‘Written on behalf of my stepfather who had cataract surgery. Clean facilities, the staff, from reception to medical professionals, are excellent. Every procedure was explained and puts the patient at ease. Good waiting area which was perfect for the several people who shared transport from outside the area although they are prompt so locals wouldn’t need to use it.’

Clinical Organisation, Staff Care & Post‑Operative Support

‘I was an NHS patient referred to Newmedica Aztec West from Wales. My experience started on 26 October 2025 when I had my pre-assessment after which I was given dates for my cataract surgery. Before my 1st cataract surgery any concerns I had were put to rest by the medical staff. Both procedures went without pain or discomfort and took less than 15 mins.

‘The surgeon and nurse kept me fully appraised of what was occurring, which was reassuring. After the surgery I was given detailed instructions of what I had to do during my recovery. As promised, I received a follow-up call the following day.

‘The clinic at Newmedica Aztec West is very well organised and very efficiently managed. All the staff, from the ladies on reception and medical staff were caring, friendly, attentive and I was treated with dignity on both occasions. Thanks to all those involved providing an excellent service which I much appreciated. I am pleased to add that my vision in both eyes is very much improved, and it has made a world of difference in many ways. Thank you all.’