State-of-the-art Eye Centre opens at Pinderfields Hospital

The centre, at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, opened earlier this year and was the first of a number of new developments at the site.

Patients and staff were involved in the design of the building, which contains seven consultation rooms, seven treatment rooms and five diagnostic rooms.

Wakefield MP Mary Creagh, who officially opened the centre yesterday, said the rebuilding of hospital had “transformed” hospital services in the area.

She said: “I pay tribute to the excellent work done by the medical and admin staff at the Eye Centre to improve people’s vision and people’s lives. With medical advancements we are all living longer, and we are able to experience the joys of sight well into old age.”

Consultant Ophthalmologist and clinical manager Dr Atul Varma said: “The needs of our patients have been put first and the Eye Centre provides a much more comfortable and welcoming place for them with improved facilities.

“Our Ophthalmology department is one of the busiest in the region.

“We see about 850 patients per week almost 50 thousand patients per year. We do more than 3,000 surgeries per year. Our Ophthalmology department now has some of the most advanced equipment available to aid diagnosis.”

Jules Preston, the chairman of Mid Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust joined patients, Dr Varma and staff in touring the site, which also includes occuloplastics, paediatric ophthalmology, ophthalmic neurology and medical retina.

Ms Creagh added: “The new £5m building was completed on time and under budget which is testament to the project management, architecture and construction staff.”