CHEC, one of the largest community-based healthcare services in the UK, has provided premium Extended Depth of Focus (EDoF) lenses to patients for the first time, and has expanded the service across all its hospitals. This follows CHEC becoming the first provider of its type to offer the premium lenses free of charge, earlier this year. As part of its mission to elevate patient care quality and become the industry’s leader in innovative ophthalmology solutions, CHEC now offers extended monofocal lenses to clinically eligible post-cataract surgery patients to enhance their subsequent range of vision, as part of its delivery of NHS services. Previously, anyone wanting these premium lenses would have to seek private care and pay for them, as they are not available on the NHS. EDoF lenses represent a contemporary technology in cataract surgery compared to standard monofocal lenses. CHEC initially launched extended monofocal lenses across its Northern hospitals earlier this year, with site-wide expansion predicted to complete before the end of the year. This target has been reached several months early, with the standardised approach designed to increase efficiency in patient care. Eileen Gill was the first patient to have the lenses inserted by CHEC, at its Stockport hospital. She said: “This has been a really positive experience. Admittedly I was worried as I’m not good with handling pain, however the whole procedure was pain free. I’m looking forward to seeing the difference in my distance and intermediate vision.” Mahmoud Rabie, Clinical Director for Ophthalmology and Consultant Ophthalmologist for CHEC completed the first EDoF cataract surgery in Stockport and said: “During typical cataract surgery, the natural lens is replaced with a monofocal IOL – a good solution for providing uncorrected distance visual acuity. However, this still leaves patients reliant on glasses for tasks involving intermediate and near vision, such as working on a computer. Multifocal IOLs address these limitations, but have other drawbacks, such as visual disturbances including glare, halos and reduced contrast sensitivity. “There has been growing demand for a lens that can do more, and now we are thrilled to be able to offer extended monofocal lenses as the groundbreaking innovation to solve the problem. The benefits they offer to patients are undeniable and we want to make them as accessible as possible. By adopting this advanced technology and offering it to patients who’ve been referred to CHEC, we’ll aim to deliver an elevated level of operational and clinical excellence to our NHS patients.” Debbie Naylor, Regional Sales Manager at BVI Medical, the lens manufacturer which has collaborated with CHEC to provide the lenses as well as training and support for clinical staff, said: “We’re really proud to have partnered with CHEC and are pleased with how this first EDoF procedure has gone. We’re looking forward to working with CHEC to support NHS cataract surgery at all their hospitals, so patients right across the country can benefit from an improved field of vision.” CHEC, one of the UK’s leading providers of community healthcare, has confirmed it will be opening a new Manchester hospital. Based in Trafford Park, the conveniently located facility will help reduce NHS waiting times and increase patient choice by providing access to ophthalmology and gastroenterology services in the community. The new hospital will be located at Trafford City in Greater Manchester, with ample free parking and excellent transport links. CHEC is currently fitting out the building into a state-of-the-art clinical facility complete with one ophthalmology theatre and one endoscopy suite. Working in partnership with the NHS, CHEC has more than 25 community hospitals nationwide. The addition of CHEC in Trafford Park strengthens its existing North West stronghold which already includes Stockport, Sheffield, and Warrington. “Patient choice, exceptional care and equity of access are central to CHEC’s operations and ethos, which is why we’re proud to collaborate with NHS partners nationwide, helping to keep waiting times to a minimum while delivering the very best quality of care,” explains Jose Bailey, Chief Commercial Officer at CHEC. “For well over a decade, we’ve been trusted by the NHS to deliver healthcare services in the community, so can’t wait to open our doors and become part of the Trafford Park community. In the meantime, we’d welcome any residents to get in touch and learn more about how we work with the NHS to make much-needed treatments more readily accessible.” Upon opening, treatments in both specialties will be within four weeks of receipt of referral. To register your interest in the services CHEC will provide at its new Trafford Park site, please contact engagement@chec.uk CHEC’s new Swindon site set to reduce NHS waiting times and increase patient choice CHEC, one of the UK’s leading providers of community healthcare, has confirmed it will be opening a new Swindon hospital. Based in East Swindon, the conveniently located facility will help reduce NHS waiting times and increase patient choice by providing access to ophthalmology and gastroenterology services in the community. Working in partnership with the NHS, CHEC has more than 20 community hospitals nationwide. The new hospital will be located at Edison Park, in the Dorcan area on the eastern side of Swindon. With ample free parking and excellent transport links, CHEC is currently fitting out the new site into a state-of-the-art clinical facility complete with one ophthalmology theatre and one endoscopy suite. “Patient choice, exceptional care and equity of access are central to CHEC’s operations and ethos, which is why we’re proud to collaborate with NHS partners nationwide, helping to keep waiting times to a minimum while delivering the very best quality of care,” explains Jose Bailey, Chief Commercial Officer at CHEC. “For well over a decade, we’ve been trusted by the NHS to deliver healthcare services free of charge for local people, and we can’t wait to open our doors and become part of the Swindon community this summer. In the meantime, we’d welcome any residents to get in touch and learn more about how we work with the NHS to make much-needed treatments more readily accessible.” Upon opening, treatments in both specialties will be within four weeks of receipt of referral. To register your interest in the services CHEC will provide at its Swindon site, please contact engagement@chec.uk CHEC, one of the largest community-based ophthalmology services in the UK, has become the first provider of its type to offer premium Extended Depth of Focus (EDoF) lenses free of charge. As part of its mission to elevate patient care quality and become the industry’s leader in innovative ophthalmology solutions, CHEC will now offer extended monofocal lenses to clinically eligible post-cataract surgery patients to enhance their subsequent range of vision, as part of its delivery of NHS services. Currently, anyone wanting EDoF lenses would have to seek private care and pay for them, as they are not available on the NHS. EDoF lenses represent a contemporary technology in cataract surgery compared to standard monofocal lenses. CHEC will initially launch extended monofocal lenses across its Northern hospitals, while site-wide expansion is due to complete before the end of the year. This will see a standardised approach applied across all hospitals to increase efficiency in patient care. Mahmoud Rabie (MBBCH, FRCOphth, FRCSG, FABO, M.Sc. (Ophthalmology), Ph.D (Ophthalmology), Clinical Director for Ophthalmology and Consultant Ophthalmologist for CHEC, said: “During typical cataract surgery, the natural lens is replaced with a monofocal IOL – a good solution for providing uncorrected distance visual acuity. However, this still leaves patients reliant on glasses for tasks involving intermediate and near vision, such as working on a computer. Multifocal IOLs address these limitations, but have other drawbacks, such as visual disturbances including glare, halos and reduced contrast sensitivity. “There has been growing demand for a lens that can do more, and extended monofocal lenses have surfaced as the groundbreaking innovation to solve the problem. The benefits they offer to patients are undeniable and we want to make them as accessible as possible. By adopting this advanced technology and offering it to patients who’ve been referred to CHEC, we’ll aim to deliver an elevated level of operational and clinical excellence.” CHEC, one of the UK’s first community-based providers of gastroenterology and endoscopy services, has announced its Nottingham site has received JAG accreditation – recognition of its high-quality standards of service delivery and patient care. The company began offering endoscopy services from its Nottingham hospital in April 2022, and following an inspection from the Royal College of Physicians, will now hold the accreditation for five years, subject to an annual review. CHEC Nottingham received accreditation for its ‘inspirational and dynamic leadership team which guides its team with dedication and passion’; ‘excellent planning and organisational skills, ensuring the smooth execution of day-to-day operational activities’; and overall feedback from patients, which the awarding body described as ‘excellent’. Praise was also given for CHEC’s ‘15 Step Challenge’ – a real-time patient engagement assessment to improve its clinical services, which was adapted for CHEC and implemented in 2023. CHEC Nottingham operates a gastroenterology as well as endoscopy diagnostic service in a purpose-built facility, providing a service for NHS patients who have been referred either directly from a GP or via the NHS Trust. Eleven CHEC hospitals across the country now offer gastroenterology and endoscopy services, with a further nine hospitals being commissioned this year. Nottingham is the first to receive JAG accreditation. The JAG accreditation programme works with endoscopy services across the UK to improve the quality of patient care. Accreditation is awarded to services which have demonstrated they meet best practice quality standards covering all aspects of an endoscopy service including quality & safety, patient experience and the workforce. The Royal College of Physicians said in its feedback: “We congratulate the CHEC team for the high standard of achievement, and for their hard work during the accreditation process.” The report added: “Congratulations to senior management on their responsiveness to suggestions for changes which are often implemented to improve the service for their patients or for the staff working in the unit.” Professor Des Breen, Chief Medical Officer for CHEC, said: “The way we operate gastroenterology and endoscopy services at our Nottingham hospital provides an insight into our future as specialists in this key field of healthcare. It is an exemplary demonstration of what community healthcare services can achieve and has set a standard we now strive for at all our gastro hospitals. “To be recognised with JAG accreditation is a significant milestone, and I want to personally thank the team for the incredible work they’ve put into getting us here. As an organisation, patient care and patient choice are our utmost priorities, and I know we will use this exciting moment as inspiration to continue pushing forward the standards of gastroenterology and endoscopy services in the community.” CHEC marks one year milestone with community celebration Staff and patients at CHEC Stevenage were celebrating this week after the community-based healthcare provider marked a whole year of working in partnership with the NHS to increase patient choice and reduce waiting times. Since first opening its doors in May 2023, CHEC Stevenage has provided ophthalmology and gastroenterology services to more than 6,300 patients and completed over 3000 cataract surgeries. The community hospital has also succeeded in consistently maintaining very low waiting times, with patients currently able to access most treatments within one week. “I didn’t know much about CHEC before, but now I know it very well, and I feel everyone should know about CHEC!” says Robert Thatcher, CHEC Stevenage patient. “The entire team is so kind and supportive, they really made me feel at ease. Absolutely fantastic service, and such friendly faces. I have lived in Stevenage for over 25 years and have been seen by many hospitals, but none of them compare to CHEC. They really show they care, and are not there to just get you in and out as quickly as possible, unlike a lot of places I have been treated at. Fantastic!” “It’s hard to believe it’s only a year ago that we welcomed our first patients to CHEC Stevenage,” comments Amy Notschild, Hospital Manager. “We’d like to thank the local community for choosing CHEC, trusting us to deliver the highest standards of care, and for joining us to celebrate our first anniversary this week!” Over the last 12 months, CHEC Stevenage has pioneered a series of initiatives that make it easier for patients to access its community-based healthcare services. These include a free Home to Hospital™ pick up service and an online patient booking app. “Patient choice and reducing waiting times are at the forefront of the NHS agenda. Working in partnership with the NHS, we constantly look for new ways to make it easier for patients to exercise that choice and access the treatment they need,” continues Amy. CHEC has established a stronghold for community healthcare provision across the Home Counties, with hospitals in Basingstoke, Milton Keynes, and Watford. Throughout the UK, CHEC now has more than 25 hospitals. Sight is a part of life that’s regularly taken for granted. Jenny Woodhall, aged 58 from Bilborough, Nottingham, is on a mission to emphasise the importance of taking the time to appreciate the seemingly small but highly impactful things like vision, as when you’re faced with the end – that’s really all that matters. Whilst on the waiting list for cataract surgery, Jenny was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Thanks to very short waiting times at CHEC, and the community healthcare provider’s willingness to carry out an extremely rare ‘double operation,’ Jenny is now able to see clearly, and the time she has left is being spent making the most of life and enjoying precious moments with her family. A need for action Jenny was first diagnosed with cataracts in January 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic and its subsequent strain on the NHS, all appointments were delayed indefinitely or cancelled. She eventually secured a hospital appointment in December 2023, but on arrival learned she was to be seen for her diabetes, and that she wasn’t even on the waiting list for cataract treatment. At this time, the waiting list for NHS cataracts surgery was over two years. In August 2022, Jenny was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and was advised that she had approximately 12-13 months to live. Alongside fighting cancer, Jenny was also experiencing the early stages of sight loss due to her untreated cataracts. As Jenny’s vision continued to deteriorate, her quality of life became worse. She grew increasingly upset over losing the ability to see her family’s faces – particularly her husband of 32 years John, her three children, and her young grandchildren Brody, Brooklyn, and Rio, as clearly as she once could. Overcoming complex pathways In early 2024, Jenny visited her local opticians for routine eye testing. Her optician voiced concern over the severity of Jenny’s cataracts and revealed she was now blind in her left eye, but was unable to refer her to community providers due to catchment areas and complex referral pathways. Jenny became worried that a complete loss of vision would leave her unable to see her family’s faces again before she passed. At this point, Jenny had already surpassed her estimated life expectancy by over three months, so it was important for her to be treated as quickly as possible. The optician advised Jenny to seek help from her GP, resulting in lots of back and forth due to the complex nature of treatment pathways. “It was very confusing at times, I wasn’t sure whether I needed the GP or the optician to refer me, thankfully I finally got a breakthrough when the doctor could refer me to CHEC for the surgery.” Life changing treatment “I am incredibly grateful to Sharna for taking the time to get to know me,” explains Jenny. “She really took my story to heart and was passionate about getting me the best outcome possible.” On her first visit to CHEC Nottingham, Jenny met with Sharna Coleman, Optical Assistant, who subsequently shared the time pressure of treatment with colleagues. From here, Paul Briddon, Hospital Manager, and Ashley Kirk, Lead Theatre Practitioner, explored the potential to offer Jenny cataract surgery for both eyes. Ordinarily, CHEC conducts cataract surgery one eye at a time, leaving at least six weeks in between procedures. After thorough clinical assessment to determine if this was the right care for Jenny, CHEC scheduled Jenny for a double cataract surgery in one day. Jenny returned to CHEC Nottingham, and in less than a week since her first appointment, had successful eye surgery on both her left and right eye. Going above and beyond “Everyone at the hospital was so supportive,” explains Jenny. “Everything was explained very clearly, and Paul and Ashley were extremely professional and reassuring. All the staff at CHEC Nottingham rallied around me, as if I were one of their own, which made me feel really welcome and supported.” “The receptionists, Danielle and Emma, were brilliant,” Jenny continues. “It was lovely to have a chat and a giggle in the waiting room before my surgery. They really helped to calm my nerves.” Jenny benefitted from CHEC’s ‘Home to Hospital™’ service – a transportation initiative that offers patients free transport to and from eye care appointments and surgery, to ensure everyone can access the care they need. “Mick the driver was brilliant,” says Jenny. “Recently I’ve been unable to stand up on my own. Mick held me so I didn’t fall, walked me into the hospital, and made sure I was looked after once we got inside. He was fantastic.” On the day of her double surgery, Jenny was accompanied by her sister, Norma, who was extremely anxious and worried about the day ahead. Jenny revealed she was thankful to learn that staff at CHEC Nottingham reassured Norma and kept her informed every step of the way – when surgery on the first eye had started and finished, when surgery on the second eye had started and finished, and everything in between. “The whole family were really worried about me on surgery day,” recounts Jenny. “I am really thankful that CHEC took looking after Norma, and my family back home that she was updating, as seriously as looking after me. It’s been a tough time for us all, and we will forever be grateful for their kindness.” The most magical thing Now, less than one month after first contacting CHEC, Jenny has completely regained vision in her right eye, and the quality of her vision is better than ever before. Jenny’s left eye is coming along nicely, and her vision is getting clearer day by day. After being deemed clinically blind in this eye by her optician, this is something Jenny is extremely thankful for. Jenny does not know how long she has left to live, and feels that every extra day is a true blessing. After previously being unable to see her own feet, Jenny is overjoyed that she is able to see again, and believes it to be ‘the most magical thing’. “Shortly after my treatment I was giving my grandson Rio a bath. The sun shone through the window and reflected in his big brown eyes,” recalls Jenny. “It was a really beautiful and moving moment. I thought to myself, I am so lucky I can see his eyes and smile in the sunlight. I felt really emotional, as I would have missed out on precious moments like this if it wasn’t for CHEC.“ “Not many people realise you have a choice. You don’t have to sit on a waiting list – look at what treatments you can access in the community, through providers like CHEC who work in partnership with the NHS. Being able to see again has made such a difference to my life, and I want everyone to be able to access treatment quickly, and feel the same joy I do now that I have my vision back.” A celebration of life In August 2022, doctors gave Jenny a life expectancy of 12-13 months. She has surpassed all expectations and is ‘still going strong’. Jenny is on a mission to truly celebrate life, and wants to encourage others to do the same. Jenny didn’t realise how much sight impacted her quality of life until it started to go. Now, she sees her family every morning, and is beyond grateful for that ‘simple’ pleasure. “If I could leave everyone with one bit of advice, it would be to never forget the importance of finding joy in the small things, like spending time with family and friends, and being able to see their faces. “Nobody knows how long they have left in this life. I’m a huge believer in que sera, sera – whatever will be, will be. But however long I have left, CHEC have made sure I can see the best of it, until the very end.” CHEC, one of the largest community-based providers of NHS ophthalmology services in the UK, has stepped up its commitment to upskilling the industry, with the launch of a dedicated independent prescribing course clinical placement. Optometrists who have been qualified for more than two years and opt to undertake an independent prescribing course can now utilise CHEC’s national footprint of hospitals and clinics to complete the compulsory placement required to gain their qualification. During the on-site placement with CHEC, trainees will develop their diagnostic skills and understanding of the links between the theory and practice of prescribing, ensuring they can manage patients therapeutically and issue necessary prescriptions. They’ll achieve this by observing clinical interactions between patients and prescribing ophthalmologists, taking part in the examination and assessment of patients with a variety of conditions, and by liaising with prescribing ophthalmologists on patients’ clinical cases. CHEC’s Education Strategy, centres on establishing and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders and education establishments, to deliver upskilling opportunities for healthcare professionals within the communities it serves. In the last 18 months, CHEC has delivered 40 CPD events to optometry professionals, and is in the process of developing the CHEC Academy, to upskill new entrants to the field, optimise clinical skill sets, and ensure the industry as a whole never suffers a skills shortage. Imran Rahman CEO and founder of CHEC said: “This feels like a really important moment for CHEC. To be stepping up our provision of skill-building opportunities with the launch of our independent prescribing course placement, demonstrates our commitment to ensuring optometrists across the country have access to the key skills and experiences they need to develop in their profession, and we’re pleased to be playing such a key role in that.” “As a modern healthcare provider, we have a duty to develop and offer new skills to our valued optometric partners.. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to ensure we’re at the centre of developing optometry talent across the industry and across the UK, and this significant milestone feels like just the beginning of what’s to come.” Those interested in conducting a placement with CHEC can register for more information here.