Championing eye health
Patient choice and preventing avoidable sight loss
Our Championing Eye Health report shows real examples of how to treat serious eye conditions and deliver timely follow-up care to prevent avoidable sight loss.
We’re here to help you get the care you need, when you need it.
Championing eye health for patients
For people living with serious eye conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration, timely follow-up care is not optional — it is essential to protecting sight.
Yet too many are waiting for follow-up appointments with no clear idea when they will be seen. We need more transparency around follow-up waiting times so everyone can choose and access high-quality care in a timely way.
Our report gives practical solutions to prevent avoidable sight loss.
John Lowe, former World Darts champion. At a routine eye test in 2023 he was told his eye pressure was very high. John says, “I was diagnosed with glaucoma at Newmedica and subsequently had SLT laser treatment.”
John has recently also had cataract surgery with Newmedica. “I opted for a trifocal lens, Toric IOL because it suits my lifestyle. My eyesight now is amazing - I can keep up my darts appearances and work on my golf handicap”.
We need a whole system solution to meet the growing need for eye care. Your local Newmedica is delivering vital services and we’re working to transform access to care so that everyone can make the best choices for their care wherever they live.
We're calling for
All services to publish their waiting times for different eye conditions, including follow-up appointments, so patients can make informed choices about their care.
Access for patients to NICE-approved treatments with systems making full use of NHS, independent sector and community eye care services to reduce waits.
More joined-up care, led by consultant ophthalmologists and supported by local optometrists, so patients can receive care closer to home when appropriate.
Connected IT systems across all eye care providers, so patient information can be shared safely and securely, reducing delays and the need to repeat information.
The 10 Year Health Plan for England
"We'll reinvent the NHS through three radical shifts ‑ hospital to community, analogue to digital and sickness to prevention."
Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England introduced by Department of Health and Social Care and Prime Minister's office.
Opportunities exist to deliver each of these shifts.
Sickness to prevention
- End the postcode lottery - offer all patients clear, fair and transparent choice at the point of referral
- Uncover hidden waiting lists
- Empower patients
Hospital to community
- Effective co-ordination
- Care transformation
- Training the future workforce
Analogue to digital
Ophthalmology is changing fast - use digital technology to improve efficiency and help with capacity challenges.
The Nation’s Blind Spots
Newmedica commissioned new research from CEPA (Cambridge Economics Policy Associates) to investigate eye care waiting lists and gaps in services around the country.
While national attention often focuses on first appointments, follow-up care for patients with serious eye conditions can carry significant and often hidden risks when delays occur.
Many of the nation's biggest treatment gaps (or ‘blind spots’) cluster around London and the South East. Click here to see the CEPA research.
We outline clear, practical actions that can be taken now to improve patient outcomes.
We’re working to transform access to care so that everyone can make the best choices for their treatment wherever they live.
• NHS Devon
• NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes
• NHS Northamptonshire
• NHS North Central London
• NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex
• NHS Mid and South Essex
• NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West
• NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria
• NHS Surrey Heartlands
• NHS Coventry and Warwickshire
At Newmedica, we're proud to work in partnership with the NHS. Find out more
Find a location
Bracknell
Venture House, 2 Arlington Square, Downshire Way, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1WA
Bradford and Huddersfield
Park House, Woodland Park, Bradford Road, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, BD19 6BW
Bristol - Aztec West
Building 720, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4UD
Bristol - Litfield House
Litfield House Medical Centre, 1 Litfield Place, Clifton Down, Bristol, BS8 3LS
Slough
Buckland House, Langley Business Park, 10 Waterside Drive, Langley, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 6EZ
Welwyn Garden City
3 Falcon Gate, Shire Park, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 1TW