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.

Those interested in conducting a placement with CHEC can register for more information here.

CHEC Stevenage, a community-based hospital, aims to increase patient choice and maintain short waiting times.

CHEC, one of the UK’s first community-based providers of gastroenterology and endoscopy services, has announced its Stevenage hospital has been acknowledged as an accredited provider of gastroenterology services by Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB.

Working in partnership with the NHS, the addition of CHEC as an accredited provider increases patient choice for people living in Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas. Already offering end to end ophthalmic services from its Stevenage hospital, the addition of gastroenterology and endoscopy strengthens CHEC’s position as a trusted provider of community healthcare. 

Based in a new state-of the-art centre, the community care facility has a dedicated clinical team and on-site endoscopy suite. Amy Notschild, Hospital Manager, explained: “It’s increasingly common practice for ophthalmology services to be delivered in the community, but gastroenterology and endoscopy is a much newer pathway. We’ve spearheaded the development of these much-needed services in the community and are looking forward to serving people living in Stevenage and the surrounding areas.”

“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.”

Access to CHEC’s state-of-the-art facilities allows GPs an additional referral pathway that will help maintain short waiting times and promptly diagnose patients who need access to gastrointestinal treatment. To assist with this, CHEC commits to assessing and treating patients within four weeks of initial referral and ensures that full patient reports are returned to GPs within two days of any given procedure or treatment.

CHEC Ilford, a community-based hospital, aims to increase patient choice and maintain short waiting times.

CHEC, one of the UK’s first community-based providers of gastroenterology and endoscopy services, has announced its Ilford hospital has been acknowledged as an accredited provider of gastroenterology services by North East London ICB. 

Working in partnership with the NHS, the addition of CHEC as an accredited provider increases patient choice for people living in Ilford and the surrounding areas. Already offering end to end ophthalmic services from its Ilford hospital, the addition of gastroenterology and endoscopy strengthens CHEC’s position as a trusted provider of community healthcare.

Based in a new state-of-the-art centre at Ilford Hill, the community care facility has a dedicated clinical team and on-site endoscopy suite. Samea Ahsan, Hospital Manager, explained: “It’s increasingly common practice for ophthalmology services to be delivered in the community, but gastroenterology and endoscopy is a much newer pathway. We’ve spearheaded the development of these much-needed services in the community and are looking forward to serving people living in Ilford and the surrounding areas.”

“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.”

Access to CHEC’s state-of-the-art facilities allows GPs an additional referral pathway that will help maintain short waiting times and promptly diagnose patients who need access to gastrointestinal treatment. To assist with this, CHEC commits to assessing and treating patients within four weeks of initial referral and ensures that full patient reports are returned to GPs within two days of any given procedure or treatment.

Staff and patients at CHEC Worcester 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 at St. Martin’s Quarter in April 2023, CHEC Worcester has provided ophthalmology and gastroenterology services to more than 7,900 patients and completed over 1,200 cataract surgeries. The community hospital has also succeeded in consistently maintaining very low waiting times, with patients currently able to access treatment in up to one week. 

“It’s hard to believe it’s only a year ago that we welcomed our first patients to CHEC Worcester,” comments Kathryn Irving, 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 Worcester 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 Kathryn. 

CHEC has established a stronghold for community healthcare provision across the West Midlands region, with hospitals in Coventry and Stoke, and a new site confirmed to open in Kings Norton. Throughout the UK, CHEC now has more than 20 hospitals.

CHEC, one of the UK’s leading providers of community healthcare, has bolstered its online presence with a new website that is designed to meet patient needs, improve user experience and present expanded service offerings.

The recently launched website has introduced accessibility features to ensure anyone with eyesight conditions can easily navigate content and access the information they need. Enhancements include advanced font functionality to adjust the size of on-screen text and improved contrast sensitivity.

Quick links and enhanced search functions have also been embedded, making it easier for all users to navigate the online hub. The community healthcare provider has also facilitated two way communication with patients, by enabling feedback to be shared through the site.

For ophthalmology professionals, CHEC has simplified access to resources such as online and in person CPD training events, while all referral pathways can now be accessed directly from the homepage.

To better reflect the expanded services available, the new website has a dedicated area for gastroenterology, offering patients and professionals comprehensive information about available treatments and procedures.

“CHEC has always centred on community, and as we continue to invest in expansion, patient care remains at the heart of everything we do,” explains Jose Bailey, CHEC Chief Commercial Officer. “It was crucial for us to ensure the new website not only reflects our growth as a business, but is functional and accessible for those who need us most.”

CHEC, one of the UK’s leading providers of community healthcare, was celebrating earlier this month after treating the 3,000^th patient at its Preston hospital, just three years after opening its doors. 

Working in partnership with NHS England, CHEC Preston gives local residents increased choice and improved access to ophthalmology services in the community. Julie Jemmett from Chorley went home with the title of 3,000^th patient after having cataract surgery with CHEC. 

Based in Broughton Business Park, Fulwood, CHEC Preston opened its services to the local community and surrounding areas in 2021. Since then, thousands of patients have chosen CHEC Preston as their community eye hospital of choice. 

Antonia Fox, Hospital Manager, said: “Our patients are at the heart of everything we do. And what a truly magical moment to be there when Julie became our 3,000^th patient in just over three years. Thank you, Julie, and thank you to the whole CHEC team for everything you do, everyday!”

Headquartered in Preston, CHEC has more than 20 hospitals UK-wide, with a North West stronghold through its Preston, Blackpool and Accrington hospitals. 

Ruth Edwards, MP for Rushcliffe, recently visited CHEC Nottingham, a community ophthalmology and gastroenterology hospital to understand more about how its service helps relieve the pressure of waiting times on the NHS. 

CHEC, an independent, community provider working in partnership with Nottingham University Hospitals, and in conjunction with the Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), has developed a model which enables patients to be seen in as little as one week, dramatically enhancing the quality of life of Nottingham residents. Since CHEC Nottingham opened in 2021, it has treated more than 30,000 patients in both ophthalmology and gastroenterology specialisms, with an average wait time of 3 weeks.

Ms Edwards was invited to attend CHEC’s hospital, located on Nuthall Road in Aspley, to meet its clinical and management team and gain a first-hand insight into the benefits of community healthcare, including improved patient choice, increased accessibility and shorter waiting times. 

Ms Edwards said of her visit to the hospital: “It was great to see the fantastic facilities at the community healthcare clinic in Nottingham as well as the enthusiasm and professionalism of the team. I am delighted that this service is available to people in Rushcliffe via the NHS and that GPs across the county can refer patients to it.”

Ophthalmology is a crucial service for diagnosing, treating and managing general eye conditions as well as more serious issues including glaucoma and cataracts, while gastroenterology focuses on the body’s digestive system. 

The introduction of community providers such as CHEC has seen positive results in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. In ophthalmology specifically, total activity was up more than 15 per cent in 2023 compared to 2019 – and average waits are down by as much as two weeks.

CHEC, one of the UK’s leading providers of community healthcare, has marked a clinical milestone this week after treating its first surgical eye patients at the recently opened Centre Park site. 

One of the first patients to benefit from CHEC’s community cataract procedures was Brian Larkin, aged 74. 

When asked about his experience at the CHEC Warrington hospital, Brian said: “Having been referred to CHEC by my optician, I was offered a quick appointment date. When attending on surgery day, the theatre was spotless, and the surgery was painless. The whole experience was great, and the team were friendly and efficient.” 

Working in partnership with the NHS, CHEC is helping to reduce waiting times in Warrington and the surrounding areas by making essential treatments more accessible in the community. 

The new Warrington hospital will support the NHS in reducing waiting times for ophthalmology by treating patients within four weeks of a referral being received.

Lauren Puckering, Hospital Manager for CHEC Warrington, said: “Patient choice and care are front and centre of our operations at CHEC, and we’ve developed a wide range of initiatives to make it easier for people to access the healthcare services they need. But the most rewarding part is seeing the impact our community-based healthcare has on people like Brian.”