cataract and surgical centre Archives

Vision is often taken for granted in the flurry of daily life, yet it can have a huge impact on physical and mental well-being.

Michelle Naylor, aged 61, an active outdoor enthusiast from Blackpool, understands this all too well. Having worn glasses since the age of 12, Michelle has faced the challenges of impaired vision for over 50 years. As her eyesight began to deteriorate further, the effects of vision loss became increasingly difficult, affecting her confidence and happiness.

After being diagnosed with cataracts in early 2024, Michelle exercised her right to patient choice, choosing to receive treatment at CHEC Blackpool. Today, thanks to short waiting times, Michelle has regained her infectious zest for life, reconnecting with the activities, people, and places she loves most.

Feeling disconnected

Before her cataracts diagnosis, Michelle found daily activities gradually more difficult due to her declining vision. An avid reader, Michelle’s favourite books became overshadowed by blurred words and pages. Michelle was also worried that if her sight continued to deteriorate, she would need to give up driving, decreasing her confidence and independence even further.

Michelle’s active lifestyle also suffered. A great lover of nature and the great outdoors, hobbies that Michelle once enjoyed such as paddle boarding, countryside walks, and swimming became sources of frustration.

“I’ve always worn my glasses to do things like paddle boarding and swimming, so I’ve never been able to fully relax and enjoy them due to fear of losing my glasses or bumping into others,” explains Michelle. “As my vision got worse, hobbies became an increasing struggle, so I began to feel quite disconnected from the things I loved.”

Choosing CHEC

As Michelle’s concerns over her vision and eye health grew, she sought help from a local optician, who promptly diagnosed her with cataracts. After discussing a range of treatment options and providers, Michelle chose to receive treatment at CHEC Blackpool.

“My optician told me that CHEC has a fantastic reputation, amongst both optometrists and patients in the area,” explains Michelle. “I was also advised that I could be treated within just a few weeks of referral, so choosing CHEC seemed like a no-brainer.”

After choosing CHEC Blackpool, Michelle was promptly contacted by the hospital team to discuss next steps. Michelle then visited CHEC Blackpool to discuss the treatment plan with her consultant.

“The first consultant I met with was brilliant, really amazing,” explains Michelle. “The minute you walk into a CHEC hospital, you’re made to feel so welcome and at ease. The team were all very friendly. Everyone from reception staff to surgeons took the time to talk to me, which made me feel comfortable and assured.”

“Everyone really cares”

In the summer of 2024, Michelle had her first cataract surgery at CHEC Blackpool, which she recalls as a positive experience.

“The first procedure went really well,” explains Michelle. “The staff were great and took the time to explain everything, both before the operation and during. They consulted me every step of the way, and didn’t move on to the next part of the process until they knew I was comfortable and understood what would be happening next.

“I thought to myself, everyone here really cares about my treatment going smoothly. When it comes to any kind of medical treatment, a lot of the time it feels like they just want to get people in and out as quickly as possible. CHEC Blackpool isn’t a revolving door of patients, they really do care, and it comes across in everything they do.”

Following a successful first surgery, Michelle organised a follow-up appointment with her optician. After such a positive experience, Michelle chose to continue her treatment at CHEC Blackpool. CHEC contacted Michelle ‘almost instantly’ to arrange surgery for her second eye. “They were straight onto it,” describes Michelle. “One really important thing to highlight about CHEC is how efficient they are!”

While Michelle felt extremely positive about the first operation, it didn’t stop her feeling nervous when it was time to treat her second eye. “Even though having my first eye was a positive experience, going into any kind of surgery is nerve-wracking,” she explains. “Laura Furness, an Optical Assistant at CHEC, could tell I was anxious and did everything she possibly could to help me, she even held my hand throughout the entire operation. That level of care is so hard to come by”

“It was comforting to know that the staff could tell how I was feeling, without me even needing to tell them, and they all did everything they could to help me feel calm.”

The team’s attention to detail at every step really made the care at CHEC stand out.

“Everyone was very caring and professional. I sometimes have back pain, and on the day of the second surgery, I felt quite uncomfortable on the operating bed,” continues Michelle. “They got me a cushion and waited until I felt comfortable and ready to start the operation, I didn’t feel rushed at all. These seem like little things, but they meant the world to me.”

A brand new world

On track to make a full recovery, thanks to improved vision, Michelle’s confidence and well-being have drastically increased, enabling her to get back to the hobbies she loves, and for the first time in her life, without glasses.

“My sight is amazing now, I don’t even need to wear my glasses! I’ve stuck rigidly to the list of do’s and don’ts CHEC provided, so my recovery is going well, I’ve even started driving again,” explains Michelle.

“My eyesight was terrible before my treatment, so my new clear vision has made a huge improvement on my life. I feel like I’m walking taller. Plus, because I can see so clearly now, I’m noticing more little things than before, and I’m so thrilled about it. I even get excited about being able to see my neighbour’s house numbers across the road. I can see so much further and so much clearer now, it’s like CHEC has opened the door to a brand new world for me.”

With her sight not only restored, but improved, Michelle is enjoying her hobbies much more than before. There’s no need to worry about losing glasses or bumping into anyone, which Michelle believes makes such a difference to her quality of life. “I’m visiting places I’ve been going to for years, and noticing things I didn’t even know were there,” she explains. “I’ve recently come back from a trip to Garstang, a place I’ve loved for many years. This trip felt like I was visiting somewhere completely new because I was able to see all the beautiful things Garstang has to offer properly for the very first time.”

A fresh start

As Michelle’s recovery comes to an end, and her confidence continues to grow, she already has plans to try new activities, visit new places, and truly make the most out of her new and improved vision.

“It’s like I’ve been given a new lease of life, a fresh start,” explains Michelle. “I wish I could have had this treatment 20 years ago! I wake up every day and think ‘wow this is wonderful’ and it’s all thanks to CHEC.”

When thinking about the whole experience with CHEC, Michelle is firm on her conclusion.

“CHEC isn’t a machine churning out patients as quickly as possible. Everyone is caring, sympathetic, and they genuinely want to make the experience the best it can be,” she says.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the staff at CHEC Blackpool, I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anybody. My advice to anyone who needs cataract surgery would be: don’t fear the procedure – just go to CHEC! The benefits it’ll bring are amazing.”

This week, CHEC New Cross is celebrating one year since its first cataract surgery.

In the last 12 months, the hospital staff have treated an incredible 6,664 patients, providing a wide range of ophthalmic services:

Service	Patients
Cataract – Consultation	1651
Cataract – Operation	1463
Doctor Post Cat	266
Follow Up Consultation	805
GVC investigation	25
Initial Consultation	1204
Minor Op	74
OCT Assessment	398
VF Assessment	43
VF/OCT	592
YAG	143
Grand Total	6664

We are so proud of our hard-working team for making the first year a success.

The New Cross team had a fantastic time celebrating with patients.

Congratulations Samea and team New Cross, roll on the next 12 months!

The pandemic has forced industries and businesses to rapidly adapt and none more so than the healthcare sector. With the NHS facing unprecedented pressures, there has been a need to rapidly digitise our healthcare system.

In fact, as patients prepared themselves for this shift online, the NHS App was downloaded nearly half a million times when NHS Digital initially launched its response to Covid-19. Whilst this digitalisation has offered many benefits, it also risks leaving the most vulnerable members of our community behind. With many people finding digital healthcare inaccessible, patients have put off seeking vital treatment. For example, as a result of the pandemic, one in five adults are now less likely to get an eye test leaving them at risk of untreated conditions. With the NHS already facing record backlogs, it is essential we support the NHS in offering the in-person and tailored care that patients need to seek treatment. Community-based treatment centres can provide a solution by ensuring patients have access to personalised and local care.

Bridging the digital gap

The pandemic has necessitated a shift online for several routine healthcare services. Many patients have welcomed this digitalisation with almost 28 million people in England registering an NHS login by October 2021. Clearly, for many patients, this shift online is a positive to which they have adapted and welcomed for the ease it can offer. However, for many people in the UK, this digitalisation is leaving them behind.

Considering 11.9 million people in the UK do not have the digital skills necessary for everyday life, this shift online could be leaving 22% of our population putting off seeking medical help. In addition, it is typically the most vulnerable members of our society who are left without access to the internet. With 150,000 residential properties in the UK falling below what is judged to be a “decent” level of internet coverage, many people are left facing digital poverty without the skills or means to get online. Community-based services can bridge the gap across this digital divide. The increased capacity of community-based services often enables the delivery of both online and traditional access to healthcare, this can support the NHS in offering patients both the benefits of digitalisation and the accessibility of in-person care.

Personalising care

Another aspect of this shift online is a reduction in face-to-face appointments. Initial NHS England guidance advised GP practices to utilise an online or telephone triage system rather which has resulted in reduced face-to-face appointments. In December alone, only 61% of GP consultations took place in person in comparison to 80% before the pandemic.

While this digitalisation of healthcare has offered many benefits for some patients, for others, this reduction in face-to-face appointments has left their care lacking in personalisation. Community-based services offer healthcare in a local setting where patients can be seen in person. In addition, community-based services that offer end-to-end care ensure patients are seen by a familiar practitioner who is well-versed in their needs. In fact, 97% of CHEC’s post-cataract surgery patients receive treatment in community settings. This in-person care with a familiar practitioner ensures patients receive care that is truly tailored to their needs.

Delivering better outcomes

In addition to providing increased accessibility to patients, community-based services are vital in supporting the NHS. The NHS currently faces unprecedented backlogs of almost six million patients as a result of the pandemic. The increased capacity of community-based services enables them to support the NHS by helping to tackle these waitlists. As a result, community-based services support the NHS while also ensuring patients are provided with accessible healthcare – delivering better outcomes for both.

Imran Rahman, CEO & Consultant Ophthalmologist, CHEC

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