Operating theatres open at Moorfields Stratford hub

Moorfields Eye Hospital has seen its first patients for surgery at its new Stratford Broadway hub.

The hub opened this year to provide diagnostic, consultant-led outpatient, and surgical eye care services to patients across east and north-east London.

Dr Martin Kuper, chief executive of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am delighted that we can now welcome patients for surgery at this new, state-of-the-art facility in east London.”

Stratford is Moorfields’ second largest standalone site, after its City Road location, and will provide approximately 70,000 appointments per year.

The increased capacity is expected to help reduce waiting lists, while the hub will also help to reduce time for diagnostic appointments from a couple of hours to 45 minutes.

Maria Mbonye was one of the first patients to have surgery in the new site, attending for cataract surgery.

Before the Stratford hub opened, Mbonye was traveling to Tottenham for her appointments, but said that “this is a much better location for me as it’s much closer to home.”

“I am really happy to be one of the first patients in for surgery,” she said, adding: “Everything has been very smooth and the staff have taken such good care of me.”

Moorfields shared that bringing its eye care services together in one place enables the team to provide more comprehensive support services.

This includes a low vision clinic, a specialist pharmacy, and access to eye care liaison officers.

Kuper commented: “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 was opened with additional funding through NHS England’s Target Investment Fund.