Following the news that services at Bishop Auckland’s A&E department will change from July 1st, the hospital has announced that a ward is to reopen as an eye care unit.
Ward Nine, once the general surgical ward, will now become the eye ward, and will even have its own operating theatre so that, for the first time, cataract surgery can take place on the premises.
A full range of outpatient services will be available, including pre operative assessment, retinal screening and laser treatments for diabetics, as well as operations that can be performed under local anaesthetic.
Lead Consultant Surgeon for Ophthalmology for the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation, Jim Haslam, said, “Bishop Auckland Hospital will be the Trust’s main centre for eye surgery for patients from across County Durham.
“Cataract surgery has never been carried out at Bishop Auckland, and the team is looking forward to offering what will be a brand new service for the hospital.
“The Trust’s ophthalmology service has traditionally served Darlington and the South West of Durham. However, we believe that by moving our eye surgery to Bishop Auckland we can attract more patients from the north of the county and develop one of the best eye units in the North East.”
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
